Three trailblazers. Three very different journeys. Yet award-winning DJ Zinhle, Naliyani Uma and Ponahalo share one defining quality: the courage to evolve while staying true to themselves. In collaboration with Crocs, a brand synonymous with comfort and self-expression, they reflect on the ambition, authenticity and personal style that continue to set them apart and inspire others.
Ponahalo transitioned from modeling to DJing, and her success behind the decks proved it was more than just a moment. She had truly found her lane. Looking back at the start of her journey, she says, “I realised during one of my early and more successful rehearsals that this is something I want to take seriously. With each practice I attended and the more effort I put into the craft, I learned that my longtime hobby of collecting music and creating playlists for people I love can become a real career. When I approached each set like an audio love letter to my audience, I knew it was something I was made for.”
Her journey hasn’t been without challenges however. Reflecting on a difficult time in her life that prominently featured Kitchener’s in Braamfontein and Pussy Party, she says, “ I was struggling to get by as a student, my now late mother was very ill and for a while, I couldn’t strike a good work-life balance outside of spending hours in the library. Not only did I feel seen by the people who suggested I take the lessons but I found a new way to enjoy music.” She nostalgically recalls creating remixes and building sets, a hobby she leaned into, between tests and assignments.
“It was the perfect distraction; it made me feel complete and although it wasn’t much at the time, the lifted financial strain was more than welcome.”
It’s worth noting that she learned to DJ on the spot during her very first set. A memory still vividly etched in her mind, she recalls arriving alone and overwhelmed with nerves. “I told myself, ‘It’s just one hour of my life, whether it goes well or badly, it’s only one hour.’ I remember walking away from a packed dancefloor to thunderous applause from my little community; people who had either come out to support me or had unknowingly witnessed the beginning of what would become a major DJing career.” Was there a moment in that first set where she felt the crowd shift with her? “I can’t say I remember much as it was 8 years ago but there was no one in the crowd when I first pressed play but it was packed by the end of the set so I guess that’s the main “shift”
I experienced.”
The DJ describes herself as both a curator and a sonic space-holder. Explaining what that means in practice behind the decks, she says she has always been in the business of standing out. “As an avid partygoer myself, I make a conscious effort to play genres, artists, and deep cuts that rarely get enough airtime in mainstream spaces. I don’t think the queer community and the girls hear enough music that truly reflects their tastes and speaks to them. Those are the groups I prioritise in every set; the girls, the gays, and the theys.” So how would she describe her signature sound today, and how much of it has been shaped by her upbringing and her role as a music captain in school? “Some of the best music you’ll ever hear comes from the underground, queer scenes of major cities in South Africa and around the world. My mission is to merge those sounds with local genres like gqom or old-school house and create unique sonic experiences.”
On being a music captain, she says it gave her a deeper appreciation for instrumentation as she also had to know how to play instruments. “At the time, I played the keyboard as well as the bass clarinet - I think this is something a lot of people don’t know about me! I learned a lot of music theory and about the role that instruments play in the body and mood of a song. More poignantly, I learned how music often reflects a particular time in history as well as the moods and energies of the people it’s being made by and made for.” Her approach to storytelling behind the decks lies in her ability to move seamlessly between underground and mainstream sounds. She explains that when building a set, keeping her audience in mind is what guides her instincts. “I ensure that I understand my demographic before stepping behind the booth. I also trust my audiences to be receptive to sounds they may not be used to hearing and then I bring them safely back to familiarity. It takes a long time to strike that balance and sometimes you swing and miss but I’d rather swing big than play it safe.” With this in mind, what kind of energy do you strive to create on a dancefloor? “I love the energy exuded by women and queer people who are having fun and creating memories. Whether they’re taking videos, opening circles, doing choreo or belting at the top of their lungs, something becomes right in the world when women and queer people are joyous and happy,” she says.
Her sense of self-expression is also reflected in the way she coordinates her outfits. Styled for success for her cover moment, Ponahalo’s look is a fitting reflection of the bold individuality and creative evolution that define her journey. “Crocs has been such an evolutionary brand in recent years, and I see so much of myself in it,” she says. “The ability to grow with your audience while allowing them to see themselves reflected in your work is incredibly powerful.” Known for putting her own stamp on everything from music to fashion, she says partnering with a brand that celebrates personal expression feels like more than welcome.”
To read the the rest of her cover story, purchase a copy of our Disruptors' Issue, available on shelves nationwide and digitally on magzter.com
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