Listen to podcast series with inspirational women in SA music industry

The series is also part of the Raise The Bar programme, which was developed as part of the Music In Africa Live project. The programme aims to bolster the presence of women in different aspects of the music industry and equip them with the skills necessary for survival in an otherwise impenetrable industry.

Over the four episodes, Texx Talks Xxtra speaks to music journalist Shiba Melissa Mazaza, electronic artist and label owner Rose Bonica, marketing strategist Zethu Gqola and creative entrepreneur ANDYMKOSI about how they have forged their path in the South African music industry.

“I never throw away ideas that people don’t like, I have a Google document that’s password-protected that keeps every single one of my rejected ideas since 2017,” Gqola says in the first episode. “There are so many ideas there that I think are spectacular and that could stand the test of time.”

Asked to share career advice with women, Bonica said: “I would say, just do it, that’s how I did it. I look back and I think, ‘Where did I get that confidence from?’ But taking advantage of the beginning years of your career is important because there are no exceptions. No one knows who you are or what you’re going to deliver, so just do it.”

Mazaza said: “There’s a lot of work to be done and we have a greater responsibility now more than ever to do the right thing when it comes to what we put out into the world,” shares Shiba Melissa when questioned about her role in the ever-changing landscape of music media.

Rounding off the conversation in the final episode of the series, ANDYMKOSI says: “It’s such a crazy world that we’re living in, there’s a lot of noise, a lot of competition. Put your head down and focus on what you think works the best for you, because you can easily be deterred. Be open to making mistakes, we’re all learning, there’s stuff that I learn on the job. Remain a student and be inquisitive, and be nice to people, that helps.”