Visit the Bridges Academy, our state-of-the-art campus in Langa already endorsed by the likes of Ed Sheeran or Skrillex, and learn more about our programs, our mission and the lives of our students. Apart from visiting the academy, you will be able to choose what activities you want to do to have a more authentic experience.
EXPERIENCES

1. Walking tour through Langa
Step inside Bridges Academy, a world-class creative campus in the heart of Langa that has already attracted support from global stars like Ed Sheeran, Skrillex, Zakes Bantwini, Msaki and Black Coffee. This inspiring space is more than a school, it’s a safe and vibrant hub where young South Africans are using music and creativity to shape brighter futures.
On your guided tour, you’ll explore our state-of-the-art studios, hear the stories of our students and witness firsthand how education and art are transforming lives. You’ll leave not only with a deeper understanding of Cape Town’s creative heartbeat, but also with the knowledge that your visit directly supports the dreams and opportunities of the next generation.

2. Afrohouse & Amapiano DJ Workshop – Mix Like a Local
Step behind the decks and learn to spin the sounds that are taking the world by storm: Afrohouse, Amapiano and Gqom. In this hands-on workshop, a local DJ will guide you through the basics of mixing while introducing you to the rhythms that define South Africa’s nightlife. Whether solo or with friends, you’ll get an authentic taste of Cape Town’s music culture and maybe even discover your inner DJ. Perfect for groups of up to 5 (larger groups can be split for parallel sessions). Includes a Bridges Academy tour.
3. Dance Like a Local Workshop
(A Cultural Journey into Amapiano Dance)
Step into the rhythm of South Africa’s streets with a high-energy Amapiano dance workshop led by local dancers. More than just a class, this experience immerses you in the movement, stories and culture behind one of the country’s most exciting music genres. Born in the townships and now celebrated worldwide, Amapiano is more than music it’s a way of life. Come ready to move, laugh and feel the heartbeat of Cape Town like a local. Includes a Bridges Academy tour.
Walk with our guides through the community to understand more about township culture and the history of these communities.


4. Musical Heritage Tour
Langa is the first township community created in South Africa. Despite being a direct product of deeply discriminatory and racist colonial and apartheid practices it is a place where music, art and sport have always thrived. Some of the biggest names in South African music such as Brenda Fassie, Louis Tebogo Moholo, Victor Mhleli Ntoni, Madosini and Dizu Plaatijies call Langa home and on this tour you will learn about the history of South Africa through its music moving from the apartheid period – where music played a crucial role in the anti-apartheid movement – to the contemporary period, with the rise of unique electronic music genres that are receiving international acclaim such as amapiano.
5. Langa Heritage Tour – A Window into Township Life
Step off the beaten track and into the vibrant world of Langa, Cape Town’s oldest township. Guided safely by experienced local tour leaders from Siviwe Tours, this walking journey takes you through the heart of the community from historic housing areas that reflect South Africa’s past, to the bustling streets alive with art, music and everyday life. Along the way, you’ll meet residents who open their doors and share stories of resilience, creativity and the powerful role townships continue to play in shaping modern South Africa.
This is more than sightseeing, it’s a genuine cultural exchange. Whether your interests lie in history, art, education, social development, or healthcare, the tour can be tailored to give you unique insights. By the end, you’ll come away not only with a deeper understanding of South Africa’s heritage, but also with real human connections and memories that stay with you long after your visit.
Safe, guided and unforgettable, the Langa Heritage Tour is your chance to experience the real Cape Town through the eyes of its people.
Walk with our guides through the community to understand more about township culture and the history of these communities.


6. Sound Healing Journey – Music as Medicine
Step into the serene setting of Bridges Academy in Langa, where music isn’t just art — it’s medicine. This transformative experience begins with an introduction to the role of sound and rhythm in traditional African healing practices, offering insight into how communities have long used music for connection, balance, and renewal.
You’ll then immerse yourself in a guided sound bath led by skilled local practitioners, using indigenous instruments whose vibrations wash over you in waves of calm and energy. As the deep tones of drums, flutes, and string instruments fill the space, you’ll feel stress dissolve, creativity awaken, and a sense of grounding take root.
More than a performance, this is a healing journey — one that restores mind and body while connecting you to Africa’s ancient wisdom of music as medicine. Whether you’re seeking relaxation, inspiration, or a deeper cultural connection, this experience offers a rare chance to be transformed by sound.
7. Cook Like a Local –
A Xhosa Culinary Journey
Food is one of the most powerful ways to connect with a culture, and in this experience you’ll step right into the warmth of a Xhosa kitchen. Guided by local cooks, you’ll discover the ingredients, flavors and techniques that have been passed down through generations, while learning the stories that make each dish part of South Africa’s living heritage.
From preparing traditional staples to tasting the final meal you’ve created together, this is far more than a cooking class, it’s a cultural exchange. Around the table, you’ll share food, laughter and conversation, gaining insight into community traditions while supporting local livelihoods. By the end, you won’t just know how to cook a Xhosa dish, you’ll have lived a piece of South Africa’s culture.


8. Beading Workshop –
Stories in Colour
Beadwork is more than just craft in South Africa, it’s a language, a history and an identity. Across Xhosa, Zulu and other local cultures, beads have long been used to tell stories, mark life’s milestones and communicate messages of love, status and belonging. Every color and pattern carries meaning, from joy and celebration to heritage and pride.
In this interactive workshop at Bridges Academy in Langa, you’ll be welcomed into this vibrant world by skilled local artisans who carry generations of knowledge in their hands. They’ll guide you through the cultural significance of beadwork, introduce you to traditional techniques and designs and show you how different tribes use beads as symbols of spirituality, resilience and beauty.
Then, it’s your turn: with their help, you’ll create your own unique piece, perhaps a bracelet, necklace, or decorative keepsake infused with personal meaning. As you weave patterns together, you’ll also be weaving a connection to South Africa’s living traditions, leaving not just with a handmade treasure, but with the stories and spirit behind it.
9. Indigenous Instruments (includes drumming ) Workshop
Step into the rich soundscape of South Africa’s heritage with our Indigenous Instruments Workshop. This immersive experience introduces participants to a variety of traditional instruments, offering the chance to see, hear, and even try them out firsthand. More than just music, the session explores the deep history and cultural significance behind these instruments, highlighting their role in storytelling, rituals, and community life.
The workshop culminates in an uplifting drumming circle, an energising, collective rhythm experience where every participant becomes part of the beat. Through guided facilitation, you’ll discover how drumming connects people, fosters unity, and celebrates the vibrant spirit of African culture.
Walk with our guides through the community to understand more about township culture and the history of these communities.


10. The Langa Ensemble
Book the Langa Ensemble for your private events, whether it’s a wedding, private party, corporate event, or anywhere where a music ensemble would bring value to your event. Musical Alumni Ensemble is a collective of past students who come together to celebrate their shared love of music and continue the legacy of their institution. Blending experience, creativity, and community, the ensemble showcases the diverse talents of its members while fostering intergenerational connections. With a repertoire that spans both traditional and contemporary works, the group serves as a platform for collaboration, performance, and mentorship keeping the spirit of lifelong music-making alive.
Volunteer at the Bridges Academy in Langa (South Africa)
Ever thought of travelling to South Africa to get involved in a worthy cause that can also inspire and transform your own life? What about if you can do it in a safe and inspiring environment in one of the oldest and most vibrant townships in South Africa?
If you are keen to join us in Cape Town at the Bridges Academy in Langa township, we offer volunteering positions that go from 1 month to 3 months. Our Langa campus is a state-of-the-art facility often visited by global music leaders such as Ed Sheeran, Bonobo or Skrillex and many other local industry figures. You will be part of the Bridges Academy team and get exposed to our program, the local culture and the incredible network of partners, mentors and ambassadors. Volunteering with us is a great way to get to know a non-profit from the inside and understand the challenges and problems whilst playing an active role in the impact it does. Unfortunately, we don’t have the capacity to provide many of these per year, since we want the experience to be really special for the volunteer and the organisation. At times we also offer volunteering positions at other organisations in the community.
Check with us for more info at [email protected]
