Former Dance Teacher
Imvula Music Program – South Africa
Unathi Jacobs is a singer, songwriter, performer, dancer and dance instructor, born and raised in the Gugulethu township in Cape Town. She grew up within a musical family and developed as a dancer and singer from a very young age. By the time she was eight years, she was already performing.
Unathi studied Business Management and Business Administration in Cape Town. She has worked as a project manager and has taught dance classes to primary school students and adult women.
She thinks it is important for children to learn music because it contributes to brain development. And because it also engages their creativity from a young age while teaching discipline and learning a routine. “Music engages them and nurtures them into potentially pursuing a career path within the arts. It also helps occupy their time and direct their energy and time into a more positive lifestyle“, says Unathi.
Regarding her role as a teacher, she highlights the excitement of seeing a child maturing within a skill set with talent. And how the more they discover their greatness, the more their confidence grows in other areas of their lives, too, not just artistically. “It’s a beautiful thing to watch and even more humbling to be part of that transition“, she says.
Her favorite artists are Lebo Mathosa, Lauryn Hill, Thandiswa Mazwai, Lady Leshurr, Sevdaliza, Sir, Brenda Fassie, Konshens, Demarco, and Busta Rhymes.