DJ Euphoria among top 10 female DJs

Over the years, the Vhembe region’s artists have shown time and again that they do not have to stand back in terms of talent – especially in the music industry. Some of its best artists come from deep rural villages, such as Gundo Netshia, better known as DJ Euphoria, who hails from Ha-khakhu Makuleni, in the far northern parts of Nzhelele.

The 26-year-old is a multi-talented musician, making a career for herself as technical producer (sound engineer), professional club DJ, and self-taught graphic designer.

DJ Euphoria has just been selected as one of the top 10 finalist in the Smirnoff 1818 Shaya Ingoma Top 10 Female DJ Search. The nationwide contest, which commenced in October 2021, is designed to unearth, promote, and offer multiple opportunities for up-and-coming female DJs in Mzansi, where they can showcase their skills, get the recognition they deserve and receive sufficient support in the pursuit of their DJing career aspirations. 

The winner will be announced on 12 March 2022 at Nsimbini Lifestyle in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal. The grand-prize winner will walk away with a R100 000 cash prize, a three-month residency with a national radio station, a curated Spotify playlist, one month of PR management and profiling as well as feature at Smirnoff 1818 and Shaya Ingoma music events in 2022. She will also get an opportunity to experience the global DJing industry landscape by going on a once-in-a-lifetime international DJing trip, valued at R200 000.

The remaining nine finalists will not leave empty-handed. They will each receive a R50 000 cash prize, 15-minute slots on one of South Africa’s national radio stations, a curated Spotify playlist, continued two month of PR management, Smirnoff 1818 Shaya Ingoma activations and battle sets to establish their careers in South Africa.

“I am so happy and excited to be part of this contest. Many female DJs entered, but I made it to the top 10,” she said.

Euphoria started her journey in music back in 2014 when she took a gap year. During that time, she says, she spent a lot of time alone listening to different kinds of music. Today she enjoys her career as a DJ, despite its being male dominated. “I grew up playing in ‘male-dominated’ space. In primary school, I was the first girl to ever dance the Tshikona dance, and till today girls are still participating in this dance.

“We have seen so many successful female DJs in the industry, and that is inspirational. Of course, most of us do need the opportunity to really make it and the Smirnoff 1818 Shaya Ingoma Top 10 Female DJ Search platform affords us that opportunity,” she said.

However, in order for her to win the contest, she needs as many votes as she can get from the public. To vote, visit www.shayaingoma1818.co.za. Each person has three votes per day and a maximum of 20 votes until 23:59 on 11 March 2022.

Entertainment - Date: 11 March 2022

Maanda Bele

Maanda  Bele, born and raised in Nzhelele Siloam, studied journalism at the Tshwane University of Technology.

He is passionate about current news and international affairs.

He worked as part of the Zoutnet team as an intern in 2017.

He is currently a freelance journalist specialising in news from the Vhembe district.

Email: [email protected]