4 South African Podcasters Receive $100k Funding from Spotify Podcast Fund
The Africa Podcast Fund from Spotify has given grants to four South African podcasters. The funding is reportedly available to a select group of African creators from South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana, which have the largest populations of podcast listeners. The $100k fund seeks to advance these podcasters’ careers by providing financial grants, workshops, and networking opportunities.
The podcast initiative—described as the first on the continent—was unveiled in accordance with Spotify’s commitment to support the careers of African producers with the aim of assisting podcasters and amplifying their tales. The winning podcasts are produced in a variety of languages, including Pidgin, English, French, Sheng, Ga, and Twi, given the diversity of the countries that were considered for selection.
According to the streaming site, the fund will be managed by Africa Podfest, a Kenyan organization dedicated to motivating and elevating African podcasters by creating a viable and inclusive podcasting sector throughout Africa.
Melissa Mbugua, co-director of Africa Podfest, noted that the startup was pleased about the emergence of podcasting in Africa, particularly because the medium allows marginalized African voices to convey the story of Africa.
The African Entertainment and Media Outlook 2022–2026, the most recent industry insights report from PwC, claims that the podcast market in SA is rising quickly due to the country’s increasing internet usage. Even though it started from a low basis, podcasting experienced steadfast revenue growth of 30.4% in 2021, accounting for R137 million of the overall audio market in South Africa, the report states.
The South African recipients are:
South African humorist Lesego Tlhabi, best known for her alter ego Coconut Kelz, is the host of the podcast Convos & Cocktails with Lesego Tlhabi. Tlhabi’s podcast focuses on direct discussions that, according to her, “we, as black women, want to have… but often don’t.”
Gugulethu Nyatsumba’s talk show, After School Is After School with Sis GU, attempts to be more open and honest about the struggles Nyatsumba still faces in her 20s. The goal of the podcast is to build relationships with its listeners by imparting life lessons and encouraging emotional development.
Vusumzi Ngxande’s The Journey Kwantu which examines and queries issues related to African spirituality and identity. Ngxande converses with a guest to go into the most intricate aspects of African religious practices on each episode.
Wisdom & Wellness with Mpoomy Ledwaba, hosted by content creator Mpoomy Ledwaba, attempts to build relationships with its guests and motivate its listeners by featuring meaningful discussions about personal journeys and life lessons.