CULA

Cula is a fresh new band to hit the corporate market, designed to cater for all the music tastes our country demands. Cula are possibly the finest cover party bands around right now. From Creadance to Makifikizola. Ricky Martin to Mandoza. Watch Candice give you “Raining Men”, Dance to Ntumi’s rendition of “Njalo” or Clayton rocking the stage to “Loslappie”.

Each artist in Cula is a top frontline performer in their own right – all eager to grab the mic and show you how to make the perfect party.

MIKE TODD – Guitar, Keyboard and Vocals

Mike is most well remembered as the guitarist and songwriter for South Africa’s most prestigious contemporary band CINEMA. He has produced and performed on 9 top selling C.D.’s, while his songs have gone on to be major hits both in S.A. and abroad, particularly the FAR EAST where the single “Strangers Again” reached the No. 1 spot. More recently he has been the musical director on many shows in and around Johannesburg; namely “Stars in Your Eyes” and 94.7 Heritage Day concert to name but a few. Mike also writes many jingles and company theme songs from his state of the art home studio and is co-owner of the corporate entertainment company Showscan.

NTUMI MOKHASIPE – Lead Vocals

Ntumi came to fame as one of the top 5 contestants of SABC’s Popstars. She went on to headline in the hit band 101 whilst studying Law at WITS. When the band went their separate ways, Ntumi went on to further stretch herself in the music industry. She has consequently performed in many corporate functions throughout South Africa, being the lead and guest vocalist for various bands. Ntumi more recently has released her own album “Ntumiseng” which has received huge critical acclaim. She has also formed her own entertainment company and continues to entertain and wow people wherever she goes.

CANDICE LEIGH – Lead Vocals

Candice kicked off her career at the tender age of eleven, singing for Nelson Mandela at his inauguration in 1994.She went on to perfect her talent by joining every theatre show, singing with a number of choirs and entering various competitions. At 16 she entered the “National Competition for Vocal Artists” and won. She consequently recorded a demo C.D. and entered the “S.A. Championship for Performing Arts” where she won. This achievement resulted in her being chosen to perform at the World Championships in Hollywood where she won 2 gold medals for the Country and Contemporary categories She more recently recorded her first single “Long Distance Calling” which has been given extensive radio air play. She studied at the Johannesburg school of ARTS, recorded her new album in L.A. and more recently writes her own material as part of her production duo of Black Coffee.

LEE MOFOKENG – Keyboard and Vocals

Started studying music at the Drakensberg Boys' Choir School in 1997 till 1999.Then continued his studies at The National School of the Arts where he received his National Diploma in Contemporary music in 2002.Having performed in many school productions, after graduating he went on to freelance in various bands for artists and became the musical director for his church's youth choir. In 2004 Lerato furthered his musical studies at Central Johannesburg College and left for Cape Town in 2005 to join a missionary team and toured South Africa playing keyboards in the band. He has since worked with Hip-Hop Pantsula andTuks Senganga.

CLAYTON STEWART – Lead Vocals and Bass Guitar

Clayton played the lead role in a number of theatrical productions, such as Return to the Forbidden Planet Buddy Holly, Grease the Stadium Spectacular and Blues Brothers (in which he won an FNB VITA AWARD for best performer in S.A.). He recorded the songs for the MTN Gladiators, which are used on the show as well as on their C.D., as well as having recorded the local version of Butterfly Kisses, which sold 5000 copies in its first week of release.

He also performed as a soloist in the 94.7 Highveld Stereo Top 100 concert, doing their number one song, Bohemian Rhapsody. Clayton, more recently, was seen on TV cutting up a hardware store in the OPEL Astra ad, playing the lead in the Sanlam money game ads, selling Windhoek Lager and gambling in the BESTMED ad. He has also starred in the new Cobra Taps, Nashua Mobile, Total and GM ads.

SAX LARUELLE – Drums and Percussion
 Sax began his career on Trans Africa Radio as the morning D.J. (going out live to the whole of Africa). It was there that his love for music grew and prompted him to perfect his skills. He consequently went on to do a radio D.J. course at The Fame Academy, Studied Contemporary music at Allenby College and perfected all forms of percussion. Since qualifying he has been involved in various projects throughout South Africa. Not only does he perform in many functions and events – he has been involved in a venture, very close to his heart. The CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation has seen him running various events around the country, being the M.C., performing as the front man in the band “Saving Jessica” and writing songs for their company.