Spotify gives four South African podcasts slice of R1.8 million
Spotify has announced the Africa Podcast Fund, which will see four South African podcasts get a cut of $100,000 (R1.85 million) in funding.
The South African podcasts that will receive funding are After School is After School with Sis G.U, The Journey Kwantu, Wisdom & Wellness with Mpoomy Ledwaba, and Convos & Cocktails with Lesego Tlhabi.
Spotify said the Africa Podcast Fund aims to bolster podcast creator careers through financial grants, workshops, and networking opportunities.
“The Africa Podcast Fund is offered to select creators from African countries with the biggest podcast listenerships, namely South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana,” it said.
“The grant also includes a Cameroonian podcast with large listenerships both in France and in Francophone African countries, such as Cote d’Ivoire.”
Spotify explained that the winning podcasts are recorded in various languages, including Pidgin, English, French, Sheng, Ga, and Twi, and Kenya-based Africa Podfest will administer the funds.
“Africa Podfest is excited about the development of podcasting in Africa, particularly because the medium allows underrepresented African voices to tell the story of Africa,” Africa Podfest co-director Melissa Mbugua said.
Brief descriptions of South Africa’s winning podcasts are provided below.
- After School is After School with Sis G.U — Hosted by Gugulethu Nyatumba, the podcast aims to speak openly and honestly about the battles that Gugulethu continues to face in her 20s.
- The Journey Kwantu — Vusumuzi Ngxande explores and questions matters around African spirituality and identity.
- Wisdom & Wellness with Mpoomy Ledwaba — Mpoomy Ledwaba aims to foster connections with her guests and inspire her audience through conversations that touch on life lessons and individual journeys.
- Convos & Cocktails with Lesego Tlhabi — Hosted by South African satirist Lesego Tlhabi, the podcast focuses on conversations that “we, as black women, want to have… but often don’t”.
Nine shows from elsewhere on the continent have also received a portion of the fund.
These include four podcasts from Kenya, three from Nigeria, and one each from Cameroon and Ghana.
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