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Mbongeni Msimanga Showbiz Correspondent
FEMALE DJ’s should be given more platforms to perform if they are to grow and excel in Zimbabwe’s entertainment industry, an upcoming female DJ has said.

Zandile ‘DJ Zandie Maz’ Mazithulela, who is a resident DJ at Rhapsodys Sunny Park in Pretoria, South Africa, recently showed that ladies have what it takes after gracing the Black Coffee and Kalawa Homecoming shows in Bulawayo over the festive season.

The Bachelor of Law student at the University of South Africa was given an opportunity to play at both shows by Mduduzi Mdlongwa and Vusumuzi Siqalaba who spotted her play in South Africa.

Although she is little known on the Zimbabwean showbiz scene, the 23- year- old DJ said a lot of females are shunning the profession because of lack of opportunities.

“I believe female DJs in Zimbabwe aren’t being given the platform to showcase their talent. Too many men are in the clubs and major shows thereby shutting out women. The situation must change and I hope my performance has been noticed by promoters and other relevant people,” DJ Zandie Maz said.

The Esigodini born DJ has played alongside South Africa’s Busiswa, Trademark, DJ Pepsi, Maphorisa and Uhuru among other Mzansi artistes.

“It is tough for us females to make it in the industry. People will always look at you as vulnerable and think you can’t perform which isn’t the case. The pressure for us to do our best with one shot is enormous,” DJ Zandie Maz said.

She said she started off deejaying early in 2014 after trying out being a model, singer and actor.

“I was at home in South Africa and then decided to do deejaying and loaded Virtual DJ on my laptop. After about three months of fooling around with it, I went to Rhapsodys with friends for drinks. During one of the DJ’s break I asked him to play and he obliged. I merely did what I was doing on the computer manually on the decks and the manager liked it and said I should come back next week,” said DJ Zandie Maz.

She said her father had the deejaying bug that he passed on to her.

“I guess I got my deejaying talent from my father who was once a DJ. He once dreamt that he was going to be one of the best in the country, so I hear,” said DJ Zandie Maz.

With most going into the industry for fame, Zandie said it is more of a passion for her and hoped to open a female deejaying school.

“When I get financially stable I would love to open a female DJ school. It has always been my dream to see more women dominate the entertainment industry. Entertainment has always been my passion and am not doing it for fame,” DJ Zandie Maz.

She said she is in a relationship but refused to reveal her lover’s name.

“Yes I am in a serious relationship, but I must say it is tough as we fight sometimes when I got out and play. All the same, he has been very supportive.”