Thandeka Mkhwanazi, who is fondly known as TDK Macasette, sat down with us to talk about the importance of staying in your lane and finding comfort in knowing that things will not always be on a high. The Durban-born muso talks us through her journey and some of her plans.
Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your background, who is Thandeka?
I’m from Durban originally, I grew up in Durban, Montclair. I'm a musician, an entrepreneur. I tend to say I’m also an influencer because I'm quite big in that space.
For those who don’t know, you're also a dancer, a singer and radio host. Where did everything begin for you?
Radio has forever been a passion of mine, that's where I started in the entertainment industry. I knew that I wanted to be in the space of communications and that’s when I branched out to stud communication management. I also did a journalism course. From there on, I had the opportunity to work with the likes of Afrotainment, Maphorisa and quite a few other people.
Would you say you do Gqom or house music?
Gqom is where I started, but I don't want to put myself into a particular genre to be honest. I tend to say I'm a musician. The reason for that is because anything can come up. It’s like saying you’re in the PR business, specialising in only corporate. But what happens if a client comes to you knowing you’d be the right person to deal with, for example, commercial or working with journalists, or entertainment? I don't want to cage myself.
What are some of the challenges that you have faced so far in the industry and how have you overcome them?
I think it's the fact that it's so male dominated. Females are now starting to jump on, and are doing very well in the industry. At the same time, it is quite hard, especially as a musician, because musicians need a lot of people within their space. You need a producer, sometimes you need a manager, you need a lot of people. Sometimes you might not get the treatment that you want, and other times movement becomes quite slow. At the end of the day, I guess it is part of the process because what story are you going to tell if everything goes smoothly?
I always tell myself that it’s not happening right now, but it's definitely going to happen very soon.
Who are some of the people you look up to for style?
Anyone could just dress up and look nice and I'd be very excited, I’d take notes and stuff like that. Even on my social media or from the road, whatever the case may be. But in terms of putting everything together, my mum, who’s a fashion designer, was my source of inspiration and had style when I was still growing up.
You’re also quite big on fitness. Why is it important for you to stay fit?
I think it's very important to stay fit because of what I’ve noticed in the industry. I used to be that girl that needed to have a drink before I jump in studio or before I jump on a record. And ever since I stopped doing that, life has been lighter and better for me. My heart is always healthy because it is the engine of my body. And obviously with the food that we eat sometimes especially when travelling internationally or locally, we tend to eat at odd hours. So, keeping healthy is very important for me right now although I do have cheat days.
If you were not an artist and everything else that you are right now, what else would you do?
I honestly would be a PR practitioner. At the same time, I wanted to do public speaking because I feel like I've got so much to say and so much to share in terms of my journey as a woman, you know, and how hard it's been for me and how slow it’s been to get to where I am.
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What are some of your plans for the rest of the year and beyond?
Releasing more music, I've been doing a lot of features at the moment just trying to find my feet with this new genre, amapiano. I’ve been also working on an EP and we are set to shoot the video sometime next month. Yeah, and obviously my other businesses, some which are private and others which perhaps will be revealed in time.
What message do you have for people that look up to you and maybe aspire to do what you do?
I think the key to success is to just keep the eye on the ball and never let anyone remove you from whatever lane you are in. Everything is a process, everything is a step, don't want to jump from the slow to the fast lane because you’ll capsize.
And another thing is, be very clear on what is it that you want to create, educate yourself as much as you can—don't depend on anyone else.
Related article: Leading and living with a resounding purpose: Nambitha Ben-Mazwi
TDK MACASETTE ON THE IMPORTANCE OF PACING YOURSELF IN THE INDUSTRY
Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar
on
August 24, 2022
Rating:
Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar
on
August 24, 2022
Rating:
