From South Africa, Soulful Simphiwe Dana Tells a Story of Determination

Simphiwe Dana’s story is the classic rise to stardom story. A story of a young woman who knew that she had the gift of music, particularly of singing in an African, Soulful, Jazz that was very different from what people were currently getting from the music industry. Her belief in her ability led her to move to Johannesburg where she made the industry sit up and start taking notice. This is her story!

What attracted you to jazz music?

The labeling of my music as jazz was purely from the Industry’s standpoint . I see my growth within the music industry as a natural progression from gospel music. I had stopped being a devout Christian at sixteen and that gave me a range to do my music in the way that called to me. I think of my music more as soul music and the answer to that question is the sounds.

I was watching your video for the song, “Ndiredi”, and it struck me that the concept of that song in that video is so different and unusual. What goes through your mind when you write your music?

For that music video, I looked at the songs and what I wanted to say. Ndiredi is all about an initiation into something bigger. It talks about being ready to take over the world, getting ready for that journey. It is a simple concept. Prepping yourself for lack of a better word. About my music, I see myself as a person that thinks . I have always had my own ideas about life and I get to incorporate these ideas into my music.

When I listen to your music, I am struck with the beauty of your music and the strength that emanates from you. What circumstance shaped you to be this person that we hear on our CDs and see on music videos?

I will say how I grew up. My mother was a nurse and she was struggling to give us the best education that she could. I was the eldest of four and as you know being the eldest in Africa, often comes with self sacrifice. I knew that I wanted to pursue music but I also knew that I had to follow a career path that will enable me to meet my family responsibilities. I got into a great school and I started my studies, I had no money and every time I will call my mother to help me financially which was very difficult for her but she tried the best she could.

In my second year, I was blessed enough to get a bursary which took care of my needs which were my books, tuition, rent and also gave me a job. This gave me the spacing to pursue music a bit more. At the end of my second year, I just knew that I had to follow my dreams. I had no way of paying for it. I knew I could not disturb my mother because she had 3 more children to take care of but I knew that I could not keep on pretending to myself that I was happy away from music. The sad thing was that I could not transfer to a school in Jo’burg and keep my bursary so moving to Jo’burg will literally be with only the clothes on my back and nothing else. I moved to Jo’burg and I was blessed enough and someone took me in and the rest is history. Once, I got to Jo’burg and I started singing, the record industry sat up and started taking notice and they came to me.

What steps did you take to get the record industry to take notice of you?

I believe most of the steps were mostly on my part. I had to find myself, accept myself, strip all the layers out and stick to the core of who I am and what I believe. When you are sure of your identity and who you really are, it makes it so much easier to do so much more. You see, when I moved to Jo’burg, I knew that I had a voice and I knew that I wanted people to enjoy my music in relation to my culture.

You seem so calm when you go on stage to perform, do you have a special prepping ritual that you do before going up there?

I don’t have any rituals before going on stage. I am generally very nervous before up. I always run to the bathroom before every performance. (laughs)

Have you had any embarrassing moment on stage?

Well, there are times that the audience does not get your music. You can so see it from their expressions. As I got more experienced within the industry, I realized that when situations such as that happens rather than continue – I could ask my band to take over.
What challenges have you faced as a female musician in Africa?

It is often very difficult for many African men to accept that you do know what you are talking about. Many men feel intimidated and might feel that you may be over powering and taking power from them. I used to fight a lot within the industry. I was a young woman and it was very difficult for them to accept that though I was young I knew what I wanted.

How did you overcome this?

I kept on fighting. Sometimes, I won and sometimes I lost. (Laughs)

I know that you are single mother – how do you juggle your career and your family life. It must be very difficult for you and your children?

Yes, it is. Oftentimes, I do not want to leave them behind. I explained earlier that my mother was a nurse so she had to spend a lot of time away from us but when she was around – she was around. We felt her love and there is no single day that goes by that I can say that I wasn’t loved as a child. I never felt abandoned. I use the same strategy with my children. My children know that I love them and I get involved in their lives as much as I can. It is very difficult.

What is the greatest lesson that you have learnt so far?

If you believe in something strong enough and you have a strong conviction that is what you are meant to do, you can make it. I knew that music is the only way for me, it was my dream and I was willing to take the risks necessary to achieve my dreams. Everything eventually works when you follow your life passion. It will be difficult at first but everything eventually pans out well.

What advice will you give African women that will love to follow your steps?

It is not easy. You have to be sure that this is what you want to do with your life. You have to know what battles to fight and which one to leave alone. Pick your battles wisely.

Which instrument will you say describes you?

The Piano. I don’t know why. I can’t explain it.

What do you do for fun?

I love good conversations. I love good food, listening to music, I love going to jazz clubs where there’s good music. I am a very simple person.

What kind of music do you listen to in your spare time?

I love soulful music. I like music from Portugal, Mali, Senegal, music that you can feel what they are saying even when you cannot understand the language.

What words come to your mind when I say African women?

Resilence, quiet beauty, strength, self sacrifice.