ComUnity: A Celebration of Unity

LM: My name is Loyd, I am a culture activist and one of the founding members of ComUnity. I have worked and looked to fulfil my purpose of building communities of likeminded people for the last decade through culture. I am an ex TV presenter and radio personality, a DJ, MC and entrepreneur.

I have predominantly grown up in Cape Town where I have played an instrumental role in levelling out the playing ground for other kids that come from backgrounds like mine.

VM: I am one of the gents that co-founded the platform.

LM: Honestly it was an idea that was born out of a group of friends who could see the growing melting pot of South Africa’s culture. We are at such a tipping point right now that we felt we needed a platform that authentically brings all facets of culture together, its people and the brands that genuinely support it.

VM: A bunch of mates wanting to create a platform for like-minded creatives in, Fashion, Food and Music.

VM: It’s all part of culture and creative economy that we hope to stimulate.

LM: ComUnity is broken up into two. COM which stands for Commerce - which we see as the exchange of the amazing products that youth brands are creating and bringing to the fore. Along with known reputable brands that truly care about our culture. UNITY which is the coming together of likeminded people who want to see youth businesses grow. The Capital U which is what we see as a reminder that there is no ComUnity without U.

VM: It’s all about Uniting people, it’s more than an event but a unified cultural movement.

LM: It’s a perfect interaction between Music Fashion and Food. Many events speak to being about all these pillars but we take active steps in making sure that we activate each with care. Secondly we are all about youth business and each pillar we ensure that we not only host youth brands but expose them to other established brands as a form of skills exchange

VM: It’s purpose, and the team behind it.

LM: If you’re in culture, you have to keep your ear to the ground and connected to the streets. :-)

VM: We research extensively, we consult a lot of people across the spectrum, and we also believe that we are on the ground alot so we have our hands on the pulse.

VM: Creates inclusivity and an access point in culture for brands, big or small.

LM: It’s one event that I’ve seen that host people of varying age groups without anyone feeling like they don’t belong. That is incredible special for us that as people we are able to enjoy each other’s company and celebrate each other

VM: People get to connect, enjoy themselves, it brings joy to a lot of people leading to creating meaningful connections.

LM: It’s a precinct that mirrors our mission. Each week they host a market that brings together some of the elements we are about and what better place than a space that truly believes our mission.

VM: It’s a cultural hub, attracts quite a diverse audience. We hope to tour the platform around…only time will tell.

LM: SOLE DXB, SXSW.

VM: SOLE DXB, ADE.

LM: The mixture of people from different backgrounds.

VM: Bridging the racial gap and putting creatives on.

LM: Yes, we want to export this platform to other parts of the world

VM: Indeed!

LM: Each event we learn and improve. I would say from inception the parts that have grown and we look to growing is our fashion and food offering. Music sells itself.

VM: Has gotten stickier, attracted amazing partners, intensified on the execution.

LM: Water

VM: Now, a rock shandy…but I used to enjoy a Tequila and Appletizer

LM: I co-own an agency called Blank Kanvas that creates, curates, and executes youth led platforms for brands and ourselves. I co-own a restaurant in the heart of Cape Town’s cultural district which is called ‘Therapy.’ I am a touring DJ and musician

VM: Spending time with my beautiful kids. Planning the next ComUnity, selling food at ‘Therapy’ or playing music at a club/party around the world.

VM: That together they can do more!