Female DJs Inspiring Locals

The number of women making their mark in previously male-dominated industries has mushroomed! It is so exciting that the DJ’ing profession has been no exception to the rule. With this exciting fact in mind, let’s take a moment to acknowledge the fierce and fearless females within the industry. Let us take it one step further by recognising not only female, but local female talent! 

The Fearless Female Spirit Breaking Boundaries

DJ Zinhle- Female Inspiration

DJ Zinhle, is one of our well-known Rocka-associated artists. She is a prime example of a female DJ that has broken the mould when it comes to her career. Having started in 2004, she was thrown into the deep end when she joined her DJ brother at an event. Long story short, one of the DJs was a no-show for the event, and so DJ Zinhle filled in, and so the magic began. She then went on to push for greatness. Starting with music conferences, the Durban July, South African Fashion Week, MTV Birthday Party, and so the list goes on. She has gone on to be nominated and won multiple prestigious awards.  

Dineo Ranaka- Local Talent

Has moved from strength to strength in her career as a radio personality, DJ, TV presenter, actress, and TV producer, since 2005.  

Lamiez Holworthy- Creative to Businesswoman

Kicked off her career in 2010 and has impressed South Africa with her talents as DJ, TV personality, radio presenter, record producer, philanthropist, and businesswoman. 

Sho Madjozi- Poet to Performer

Madjozi started out writing poetry behind her pen name “MayaThePoet”. While studying her poetry followed a theme of politics, race, and identity. Thereafter, at the University of South Africa, she began songwriting for other local artists. Shortly after she started rapping and composing music under her stage name “Sho Madjozi”. Her claim to fame was born when she collaborated with rapper Okmalumkoolkat on the track “Ngiyashisa Bhe” and the hit single “Gqi”. Thanks to her collab she started making TV appearances, namely with her role in Isithembiso in 2017. From there, her career took off releasing her own singles, making quest appearances, as well as performing live at events such as the Global Citizen. From 2019 through to 2021, she has been nominated for, and has won multiple prestigious awards. 

Shekinah- The Brave Female

Shekinah, from the start, has shown loads of courage having joined M-Nets SA Idols Season 7 saw her place in the top 32, and Season 8 of which she placed in the top 6, in 2012. In 2017 she debuted her first album, Rose Gold, which was certified as platinum by RiSA in 2018! Since 2017, Shekinah has been nominated yearly for awards. In total, she has been nominated for 17 awards and she has won 6 awards. 

Anele Mdoda- The Feisty Female

Anele started her career at the age of 20, in 2004 as a radio DJ. Throughout the years Anele has worked with Highveld FM and 5FM. Additionally, she has also contested on the fifth season of Strictly come dancing, co-hosted SA’s Got talent, judged Miss South Africa, as well as Clash of the Choirs. What’s more, she hosted a doc-series, “Dream School SA””, she also co-hosted a talk show called “Tongue in Cheek”. Shortly after, she hosted her own daytime talk show, “Real Talk With Anele”. 2016 saw her and her sister co-host “Our Perfect Wedding”. In 2018, Anele joined the 947 Breakfast Club, and she hosted the third season of “The Voice South Africa” in the same year. Since then, Mdoda has grown from strength to strength judging multiple beauty pageants and hosting shows.

Female Power- Am I Right Ladies? 

These are just some of the stand-out names of our local ladies within the DJ’ing industry, there are just too many names to list that are making us increasingly proud! We are sure that in the years to come that many other females will follow in the footsteps of these way makers. But in the meantime, we will applaud those that have been brave enough to tackle a profession that was previously male dominated. These are the women that have pushed for gender equality and breaking the bias. We just love that we have such strong local female talent to inspire us to constantly push for more!