DJ Zinhle claps back at criticism of female DJs

By Tamlyn Canham

DJ Zinhle has come to the defence of female DJs in South Africa. A Twitter user caused a stir online when he claimed that female DJs only need good looks to succeed.

“Being a female DJ these days only requires looks and some sexy dance moves. Nobody cares about your mixing,” the man wrote.

DJ Zinhle took offence to the tweet. She says it is sad that the Twitter user has reduced the growth of the female DJ industry to how a woman looks.

“I definitely don’t agree with you. I’m actually loving how the girls are making it their own and dominating. Surely there’s something to celebrate here,” Zinhle replied.

So sad that you chose to reduce the growth of the female DJ industry to this…

I definitely don’t agree with you. I’m actually loving how the girls are making it their own and dominating.

Surely there’s something to celebrate here.. https://t.co/3uB25yAZMi

— #Siyabonga #ERAbyDJZinhle #ZeeNation (@DJZinhle) October 19, 2021

Many Twitter users agreed with Zinhle. One user says the man’s remarks are disrespectful.

“Really sad. There’s a tendency to reduce female success to appearance in most industries and it’s honestly disrespectful. Must you be a man to know music?”

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But some tweeps insisted that “pretty privilege” could not be ignored.

“He was not reducing talent, you know deep down that beauty privilege exists. You are talented DJ Zinhle, but [there] are some overnight sensations who are only popular because of their good looks… let’s not lie to ourselves, beauty privilege exists,” @RealEvidence2 commented.

Another user added: “… that’s a huge privilege… If tomorrow you want to be an actress boom you are on our TV screens if you want to be a radio presenter you can be it with no struggle… We notice such on daily basis…”

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A post shared by ZINHLE JIYANE (@djzinhle)

DJ Zinhle empowers female DJs

DJ Zinhle is one of the highest-paid deejays in South Africa. She started a female DJ academy in 2009 to help empower women in the industry. FUSE Academy was the only all-female DJ academy in South Africa at the time.

The academy provided training and mentoring to aspiring DJs. DJ Zinhle is proud of the work she has done.

“Ten years later, the academy has produced working DJs in the industry that have contributed largely to the overall entertainment industry,” she told Forbes Africa in 2020.

There are now dozens of female DJs in the male-dominated industry. Some of South Africa’s top female DJs include DJ Buhle, MS Cosmo, Lamiez Holworthy, and DJ Cndo.