Building a Life Through Music: A Conversation with DJ Thando Majola

One of my favourite things about sitting down with creative allies is how restorative those conversations can be. There’s something deeply reassuring about speaking with someone who wrestles with many of the same questions you do. Conversations like these remind you that self doubt, uncertainty, ambition, and the search for purpose are rarely yours alone. They are shared experiences, even if they unfold differently for each of us.

That was the feeling I was left with after my voice call with Thando Majola a few weeks ago.

What began as a conversation about DJing quickly became something much broader. We spoke about community, creative practice, friendship, self doubt, purpose, and the often invisible work of building a life around the things you love. It wasn’t a conversation about having everything figured out. If anything, it was about learning to keep showing up while you figure it out.

Born in the United Kingdom and raised in Johannesburg North by her mother, Thando Majola has emerged as one of a new generation of selectors carving out a distinctive place for themselves. In a relatively short space of time, she has built a reputation for thoughtful curation, earning opportunities that continue to expand her reach while remaining grounded in the communities that first nurtured her.

In our conversation, DJ Majola reflects on the people who shaped her journey, the realities of pursuing a creative career in your twenties, building a life through music and beyond, and why community remains one of the most important forces behind her work.

Written by Khaya Mnisi

All images courtesy of Thando Majola

Before we get into the DJing side of things, I’d love to know more about you as a person. Who is Thando Majola? Where were you born and raised, what was your upbringing like, and what are some of the experiences that shaped the person you’ve become today?

I was born in the UK and moved to South Africa very early in my life, so I don’t really have any memories from before I was about six years old. I was told those early years were characterised by a lot of movement with my mother, who raised me single handedly. I’m estranged from my father, but I don’t really acknowledge that as part of my identity because my upbringing was deeply fulfilling. Nothing was missing. I never lacked.

I grew up in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg, where my mom worked incredibly hard to give me a life with access to opportunities. Such things never went over my head, and it’s probably why I’ve always seen each day as an opportunity for something worth living.

As an only child, I found family in other people. I had many friends and spent a lot of time taking part in different extramural activities and sports, so I grew up being outside in that way.

I think all of that has shaped the person I am today. I’m a special girl, man. I’m naturally filled with a lot of light and love. I’ve been very blessed in my lifetime, and I acknowledge the presence of God in every moment of my existence.

I’m curious about what keeps your creative spirit alive. Who or what continues to inspire you, and what is it about them that stays with you?

I’m inspired by God, the ultimate Creator of all these beautiful people with all these different talents.

I’m also inspired by everyone who shares their creativity. I love seeing how invested people become in whatever vision they have. Just being present for the execution of that vision feels like the kind of support we need to keep giving each other. It encourages us to challenge ourselves more, especially when what you’re creating for yourself can also be meaningful to other people.

I’m also inspired by everyone who’s played a role in getting me here. People call it community these days, but for me it’s really the friends you make along the way that make the journey worthwhile. I’m in awe of God and the people, experiences, and lessons He continues to place in my path.

I’m also inspired by everyone who shares their creativity. I love seeing how invested people become in whatever vision they have.

DJing has become a significant part of your life, but everybody has a starting point. What first drew you to DJing, what were you doing before, and can you take me back to when you realised this was something you wanted to pursue seriously?

I’ve always enjoyed music, but I also knew that not everyone listened to it the way I did. I loved digging through different genres, finding the best songs in each, making playlists, and putting my friends onto music they hadn’t heard before. Looking back, I think I was already curating without realising it. When I went to university in Pretoria, I became fascinated by the DJs at TSC, Jolly’s, and other popular spots around Hatfield. I’d watch them blend completely different genres together and think,I want to learn how to do that. Imagine putting Frank Ocean into a rap set and making it work.For years I kept saying I wanted to become a DJ, although I never imagined it as a public career. I thought it would just be something I’d do between my studies or while playing music for my friends at house parties.

A real turning point came through a friend who used to host house parties. He was always trying new things and encouraging the people around him to do the same. At one point he said, “We can’t just keep meeting to drink and have a good time. We all have creative interests, but we never give ourselves the space to actually develop them. He brought together people with different skills and encouraged everyone to lean on one another. If someone wanted to get into photography, there were people with cameras. If someone wanted to make music, there was always someone willing to share what they knew. It became less about hanging out and more about helping each other grow.

In 2023, that idea evolved into a creative collective called Peaks and Valleys. Through that collective I collaboratedmy friend Kgosigadi, who was studying sound engineering. She had a DJ controller and a bedroom studio at home, and she invited me over a few times each month to learn. Looking back, I think people sometimes hesitate to ask their friends for help because they don’t want it to seem transactional. But I actually think you do yourself a disservice if you never lean on the people around you. I believe that when someone shares their knowledge with you, it also helps them grow in their own craft.

From there I started documenting my progress from day one. As the collective grew, we outgrew the house and began partnering with venues to host open mics, open decks, and open floors where people could sing, DJ, dance, perform poetry, or play instruments. It became a safe space where I could make mistakes, experiment, and build confidence. Eventually, more friends started inviting me to play at their small parties. I was still learning through trial and error, but people genuinely enjoyed the way I mixed genres and introduced them to songs they didn’t hear every day.

Then Narowbi reached out and invited me to play one of their market parties. I saw it as another opportunity, took it, and things gradually grew from there. Every set convinces me a little more. Before I play, I’m usually anxious. I overthink everything and question whether I’m good enough. But afterwards, people come up to me and tell me how the music made them feel or how much they enjoyed the mix. Those moments mean a lot because I second guess myself all the time. The encouragement from listeners, my friends, and the opportunities that keep finding me remind me that this is a gift I shouldn’t take for granted.

Looking back, I think people sometimes hesitate to ask their friends for help because they don’t want it to seem transactional. But I actually think you do yourself a disservice if you never lean on the people around you.

One thing that really stood out to me in your answer was the role community played in your journey. It wasn’t just about learning to DJ. It was about being surrounded by people who encouraged each other to create. The word “community” gets thrown around a lot these days, especially in creative spaces. How would you define it? What does community actually mean to you, and what role do you think it should play in the creative and cultural industry?

I think community is really about seeing each other’s strengths and building on them, while also recognising each other’s weaknesses and helping one another grow through those too. It’s about acknowledging people for who they authentically are, without trying to water them down. Growing up, I think a lot of us were trying to fit into some idea of what was “normal.” Then there was this shift where we realised nobody is actually normal. You just have to find your people. It started with “find your tribe,” and now it’s “community.” Every few years we seem to find a new buzzword for the same idea.

But beyond the language, the real meaning hasn’t changed. Community is people showing up for one another, creating space for each other to grow, and allowing everyone to become more of who they already are.

I find it difficult to place people into neat boxes, especially creatives. When it comes to music, what genres excite you the most right now? Do you see yourself as someone rooted in a particular sound, or are you more interested in moving fluidly between different genres and influences?

I don’t see myself being married to one sound. When I first started DJing, I wanted to play hip hop, R&B, alternative music, Afrobeats and rap. One of the best things I’ve discovered is that genre boundaries are much more layered than I originally thought. That realization has given me the freedom to be creative. Even when I don’t feel like I have all the technical skills yet, I’ll still take a chance because I don’t want to miss an opportunity to try something new.

House music has become a beautiful resting place for me. It brings back childhood memories I didn’t even realize I still carried. Playing old school house from the 2000s and 2010s has been incredibly healing because it has helped me reconnect with a part of myself that I think I denied for a long time in an effort to please other people.

As my inner child continues to heal and my skills grow, I see myself becoming someone who can move fluidly between different genres. Rather than being defined by a single sound, I want to master many of them in a way that feels natural, refreshing and true to who I am.

House music has become a beautiful resting place for me. It brings back childhood memories I didn’t even realize I still carried.

You’ve only been on this journey for a relatively short period of time, yet your work has started gaining more attention and creating new opportunities. But growth also comes with challenges that people don’t always see from the outside. What has this season of building a DJ career been like for you, and what have been some of the realities you’ve had to navigate along the way?

My growth is happening at a time where I’ve also been trying to find stable employment after my studies. Building a DJ career can sometimes feel like, “Charge it to the game and see how far you get,” and then the next minute I’m thinking, “But what about my honours degree that I’m not using?” I won’t lie, it’s scary.

I don’t know if it’s just an early twenties thing, but experiencing self doubt can sometimes stop me from showing up fully in the way I want to. There are days when I feel really down and unworthy, but then I remember that none of this is happening because I planned it. At the same time, nothing feels like a coincidence because one thing keeps leading to another. It’s amazing to reflect on in hindsight.

One of the biggest challenges has been understanding the value of my work. When I started, I was just happy to play, but as the bookings grew, I realised the importance of establishing a consistent value proposition. People don’t always see everything that goes into being a DJ: planning sets, curating music, buying music, travelling to gigs and preparing for performances. It requires a lot of time and resources. I recently decided that I’m no longer playing for free. You also learn about the politics behind bookings and payment terms, and realise how difficult it can be navigating the industry as a creative.

Then there’s my mental health. Eish, it’s much bigger than post groove depression. I’m constantly relearning how to self regulate because I can become overwhelmed, even when people see it as a lifestyle. I’ve always been a deeply sensitive person. I think a lot about purpose, intention and impact, and I just pray that I remain authentic and true to myself, my sound and my spirit regardless of the pressure.

I find that very interesting and relatable, especially you mentioning self doubt and the pressure of navigating your early twenties while building a creative career. I assume a lot of young creatives experience that same uncertainty and sometimes struggle to keep showing up when things feel difficult. What advice would you give to someone who is currently in that position?

I would say, “Just keep going. Just do it, man.” It sucks to feel discouraged, but I think people have to teach themselves not to lose heart when they’re trying to do something. There’s a biblical idea that says don’t lose heart, but also guard your heart.

So I think you have to decide what is worth your time and energy, what you are ready for, and what you aren’t ready for.

In the moment, I think it’s about thinking about where you want to go, where you are now, and whether what you’re doing will make you better than you were yesterday. It’s tricky because not everyone has the same journey. What helped me was showing up in the spaces where I wanted to be. If you want to be a lawyer, go to the conferences and events that those firms have. If you want to be a chef, you gotta show up in the kitchIf you want to be a creative, go to the events where other creatives are sharing their skills. You never know who you’ll meet. You might even meet an organiser who connects you to an opportunity you didn’t expect.

Johannesburg has one of the most active and influential music and nightlife cultures on the continent. From your perspective as someone actively contributing to it, how would you describe the DJ scene in Johannesburg right now? What excites you about it, and what changes would you like to see in the years ahead?

I think everyone is doing their own thing, and I really like that. The Johannesburg scene is rooted in self confidence. If you believe in your craft and show people that you believe in it, you’ll eventually find your audience. I’m happy that more people are getting the opportunity to showcase what they can do. Sometimes it’s as simple as asking, posting your work and staying persistent.

At the same time, I think the events space has become oversaturated with the same formula. Paying anywhere from R150 to R800 for a ticket just to drink and listen to music is a model that I think needs to be reimagined. I’m still figuring out what that alternative looks like and how I can create something that offers more value, but I do think we need better reasons to leave the house, especially in this economy.

I came across an Instagram story where you were speaking about Grade Town and how much you appreciate the work they’re doing, particularly when it comes to creating opportunities for young people. You also spoke about the need for more events and spaces that aren’t centred solely around drinking and nightlife. That perspective stood out to me. Why is this something you care so deeply about, and what role do you think the creative industry can play in creating more meaningful opportunities for young people?

It’s something I care about because, as a young person myself, I’ve experienced how difficult it can be to find spaces where you can genuinely connect, create, and grow without feeling like everything has to revolve around alcohol or nightlife. Don’t get me wrong—I DJ, so nightlife is part of what I do, and I really value those spaces. But I don’t think they should be the only spaces available to young people.

Grade Africa is one of the only properties with strong market presence who understand their role in shaping the culture. When they hosted Grade Town they created opportunities for people to meet, collaborate, learn, and express themselves in ways that weren’t dependent on a party environment.

I believe the creative industry has a huge responsibility here. Creativity is more than just entertainment, it’s about shaping culture and giving people a sense of possibility. Whether it’s through music, fashion, photography, design, or community events, creative spaces can introduce people to careers they never knew existed, help them build networks, and even give them confidence to pursue something they love. For me personally I've been able to discover that through small spaces or intimate backstages where someone leaves inspired, having met a future collaborator, discovered a new skill, or realised there’s a place for them in the creative world. If we can cultivate more of those moments, I think we’ll build stronger communities and give more young people reasons to believe in what’s possible.

You’ve already played notable platforms and stages, and it feels like your journey is only beginning. When you think about the future, where do you hope this journey takes you? What’s next for Thando Majola?

When I think about the future, I see myself as a multifaceted creative. DJing has been an incredible gateway into the creative industry, but it’s also shown me that there are so many different ways to tell stories, build communities, and create meaningful experiences.

I don’t like the idea of being limited to one lane. I’m passionate about creativity in all its forms, and I hope to build a career where my professional ambitions and my creative work can exist alongside each other rather than compete. Whether that’s through music, creative direction, partnerships, community-building, or projects I haven’t even imagined yet, I want my work to have both impact and longevity.

Ultimately, I hope people look at my career and see someone who embraced every part of who they were instead of choosing just one. If I can build a sustainable career where all the different versions of Thando Majola can coexist and contribute something meaningful, I’ll feel like I’ve done what I set out to do.