Meet the masterminds powering South Africa’s new creative golden age

Behind every chart-topping hit, every viral cultural moment and every artist who seems to rise from nowhere to everywhere, there is always a mastermind, a strategist, a builder, a visionary with a plan. These are the people who shape the sound, sharpen the brand and steer the stories that move the culture forward. And in South Africa’s rapidly expanding creative economy, these masterminds aren't just operating behind the scenes, they’re redefining what the scene even looks like.

They are rebuilding the ecosystem. They are unlocking global stages for local talent. They are creating pipelines where none existed, amplifying voices that deserve to be heard and proving that excellence isn’t a coincidence, it’s crafted.

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From the powerhouse guiding Amapiano’s rise to the agencies forging cross-continental stardom, these leaders are delivering results loud enough to shift the industry. Their work is purpose-driven. Their impact is measurable. And their influence is unmistakable.

Here, we spotlight three women rewriting the blueprint:

Thulani Keupilwe

Managing Director and Founder of Lawk Communications

At the helm of South Africa’s Amapiano explosion, Thulani leads Lawk Communications — the powerhouse agency behind some of the genre’s biggest names. Representing artists like Kabza De Small and Young Stunna, DJ Maphorisa, Tyler ICU and Mdu aka TRP, she has built one of the most influential pipelines for emerging and established talent in the country.

Starting her career with internships at Dream Team SA and Homecoming Events, Thulani went on to manage A-Reece before launching Lawk in 2016. Since then, she’s produced landmark music shows like Scorpion Kings Live at Loftus Stadium, secured Kabza De Small’s global deal with Hennessy, and led Lawk Communications to win a number of awards at the 2024 Spotify Amapiano Grooves event as well as the 2025 Metro FM Awards.

Thulani’s Personal Philosophy “My purpose is to help people in music, to create long-term sustainable businesses even after the music stops.”

Sannah Thwala

Founder of The House of Thom

A nominee for Artist Manager of the Year at the Basadi in Music Awards, Sannah realised her gift for entertainment management while supporting her sister, platinum artist Cici, as talent manager, road manager and PR strategist. Through The House of Thom (est. 2012) she now manages Cici, Big Brother breakout star Liema Pantsi and rising musician NKR, while delivering campaigns for artists like DJ Zinhle, MaWhoo and Lady Amar. Sannah has also secured opportunities for Ashley Ogle, with top clients including tech brand Honor, Afrotainment and Doek on Fleek, showcasing the reach and influence of her agency.

Sannah’s Fun Fact “As a manager, I live by one golden rule: Never take your talent’s spotlight. Know your place and let the talent shine.”

Tanisha Colon-Bibb

CEO of Rebelle Management

With roots in public relations and an English degree from Spelman College in Georgia, US, Tanisha launched Rebelle Management after discovering her knack for guiding talent. What began in New York, managing digital creators, has since grown into an agency split between the Big Apple and Johannesburg, representing some of South Africa’s most exciting names: Lunathi Mampofu, Bohang Moeko, Rosemary Zimu, Hope Mbhele, Filah Lah Lah and Simmy.

Rebelle is now known for shaping careers that bridge fashion, music and culture — driven, as Tanisha puts it, by “nature, God and being just a little psychotic”. Career highlights include Filah Lah Lah’s GLAMOUR SA cover and Maybelline Sub-Saharan Africa ambassadorship, Hope Mbhele’s Nike project in Paris, Lunathi Mampofu’s Jameson SA partnership, and Rosemary Zimu’s viral Batswadi cover.

Tanisha’s Personal Philosophy “Your validation never comes from people’s opinions or your latest wins or fails. Find it somewhere else. For me it’s God.”