The Abantu Pod

"Jackie Queens the Zimbabwean-born, South African-based songwriter and vocalist disrupting the status quo of the music industry's perspective on the role women play in its success. Her powerful presence in both artistry and business has her firmly placed as the doyen of African female voices in electronica." | What has brought you joy recently? (0:00), the duty of an artist in challenging the status quo (13:16), finding communities of people interested in creating a better industry (19:17), navigating out of stuckness (21:33), we need to take better care of our music’s ecosystem (28:40), from Zim, to the UK, to South Africa (35:03), Jamaica’s influence (37:11), travel and music, new york, street etiquette, sartorial sounds (40:10), the relationships between SA/UK house (44:49), Drums radio creating an essential platform for Afrohouse (50:16), greatest achievements and lessons learned in founding Bae Electronica (52:21), we need more black people in music technology (56:48), Bae Electronica is now an agency! (1:05:46). | Instagram: @CharisseeC @JackieQueens. Twitter: @CharisseeC @JackieQueensSA

UK born, Malawi-bred and South Africa-based; Shiba Melissa Mazaza is a music journalist, media strategist, curator and voice-over artist. Founder of Mount Makeda Media and the African Consciousness Institute; a non-profit organisation which aims to contribute to the wellbeing of African creatives with the help of mindfulness, consciousness and spiritual health practices. | Pursuing curiosity, forming your identity and the jack of all trades trope (9:43), what does home mean to you? (18:20), identity politics in South Africa and the significance of borders (27:06), the journey to becoming a music writer (40:55), how much is the work we do down to our calling/purpose (58:01), ownership, self-defining and imposters syndrome (1:04:24), understanding music PR as the practice of helping artists to tell their story (1:14:32), the power of amapiano, Lady Du, Aymos and the Major League Djz vision (1:28:21). Instagram @CharisseeC @IamShiba. Twitter @CharisseeC @IamShiba.

Kuda & Munashe are the founders and creative directors of MADE IN ZWE: "a creative media and lifestyle brand at the vanguard of global Zimbabwean art and entertainment culture through music, events, merch, content creation, and digital marketing strategies."What is Made in ZWE? (0:00), Art, Activism and the #ThisFlag movement (8:18), growing up in Zimbabwe and finding your creative voice (27:00), the next generation of young Zimbabweans, the state of the music industry and hopes for the future (52:08), Kuda & Munashe's music selections (1:06:00), the Made In ZWE playlist and things to look forward to (1:18:58). Instagram: @CharisseeC @MadeinZWE. MADEINZWE.COM #AbantuPod.

In this episode, I sit down with my parents for an open conversation about what Abantu means and who the Bantu people are, maintaining the spirit of ubuntu/chivahnu in the diaspora (12:10), personal and political anecdotes of the history between Ndebele and Shona people; including their own experience of intermarriage (31:00), Zimbabwean politics and the liberation struggle (59:40), Bantu migration and the relationship between Zimbabwe and South Africa (1:01:00), Music, memories of young love and Dad claiming that he looks like Joe LOL (1:13:00) and finally, the importance of having and documenting intergenerational conversations (1:56:23).

Episode 1 is a conversation with Khaya Deep, co-founder of Monate London. We spoke about the migration of the SA/Zim diaspora (3:52), the birth of Monate London (9:08), building an authentic cultural hub and taking ownership of your craft (21:33), the evolution of South African music and the significance of working within community-oriented eco-systems (31:55), Khaya’s pivotal music selections (54:02) and finally, the legacy of Monate London (1:14:04). Instagram: @CharisseeC @MonateLondon @Khaya2deep. Twitter: @CharisseeC. #AbantuPod.