Hlengiwe Sewela

BIO

Hlengiwe Sewela (OkayHlengi)

Hlengiwe Sewela, professionally known as OkayHlengi, is a versatile creative professional and cultural force within South Africa's contemporary art and underground electronic music scenes. Armed with a BA Fine Art from the University of Johannesburg (2017-2020) and four years of experience spanning graphic design, video editing, and art direction, Sewela has established herself as a multidisciplinary practitioner who seamlessly bridges traditional art practices with contemporary digital and experiential platforms.

Her technical expertise encompasses the Adobe Creative Suite, AI design tools, and multimedia content creation, which she has applied across diverse projects ranging from music video art direction for Budweiser to social media management and brand development. As a cultural commentator and curator, Sewela has carved out a significant presence within South Africa's contemporary art scene through her work as a Curatorial Assistant at RMB Turbine Art Fair and her volunteer contributions to Search Festival. Her curatorial practice extends beyond traditional gallery spaces into the digital realm, where she served as Video Editor and Social Media Manager for Bubblegum Club Magazine, producing artist profiles, event recaps, and cultural documentaries that engage with current artistic dialogues.

Sewela's entrepreneurial spirit manifests in her role as Event Producer for '303', her own event series where she conceptualizes and executes large-scale underground cultural events with a deliberate focus on promoting Black, queer, women, and POC artists from South Africa. Managing everything from artist relations to logistics, she has created vital spaces for underrepresented voices in the country's electronic music landscape.

DJ Career as OkayHlengi

As OkayHlengi, Sewela has emerged as a dynamic force in South Africa's electronic music scene, recognized for her unique fusion of bass, rhythmic techno, and Gqom that represents a new wave of South African electronic sound defined by subversion and cultural reclamation. Her journey into music began in the heart of Johannesburg's bustling nightlife, where she found inspiration in the hypnotic sounds of techno and the grooves of Gqom, resulting in sets where futuristic techno meets the soulful and rhythm-driven spirit of South Africa.

Her sound showcases a truly original blend that brings together South African genres, electro, breaks, and even Eurodance flavours, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of global electronic music traditions while remaining rooted in local sonic innovation. As a Black techno and Gqom DJ, OkayHlengi is deeply committed to celebrating the roots of these genres while elevating them to new heights, emphasizing that electronic music was born out of political strife, Black struggle, and queer struggle.

Her mission centers on creating spaces for those who have not felt seen in the techno landscape through her 303 event series, with past performances at renowned venues including CHAOS, GirlsClub, and Night Embassy. Her work behind the decks is characterized by performances that serve as testaments to the unifying power of music, bridging cultures and continents to create unforgettable sonic experiences. She has been recognized as one of the most exciting emerging DJs in South Africa, with her approach to electronic music actively rewriting the stories and acknowledging the violence that contributed to the formation of dance and club music movements.

Through her multifaceted approach—combining fine art training, digital media fluency, event production experience, and DJ artistry—OkayHlengi positions herself as both a creative practitioner and cultural facilitator who champions inclusivity, innovation, and the preservation of electronic music's radical roots within South Africa's evolving underground scene.