Episode 5: Finding Your Creative Path 19 Sep 2025 Listen Now on your preferred platform ABOUT THE EPISODE At some point, every creative faces the challenge of building a personal brand. But how do you position yourself to attract the right opportunities and the right people to grow with? How do you ensure your work stays fresh, authentic, and true to you?In this episode, musical artist Mandisi Mafu (Digital Sangoma) and designer Rucita Vassen (Ananta Design Studio) share their very different journeys as creatives. From navigating challenges to refining their processes, they offer honest insights and advice for emerging artists and entrepreneurs. Their stories prove that there’s no single formula for success – only the path that’s right for you. MEET THE HOSTS LERATO SOKHULU @rapunzulu A magnetic presence on stage and behind the mic, Lerato Sokhulu brings over a decade of experience in radio and television production, comedy and voice artistry. As the host of Creative Allies she blends storytelling, wit and an authentic love for culture and craft. Armed with an infectious laugh and an eccentric yet down-to-earth style she is on her way to becoming a renowned broadcaster. CAROL WILLIAMS @caroljoywilliamshttps://www.caroljoywilliams.com/ Carol is a podcast producer, composer, and co-founder of one of SA’s first creative audio agencies, The Stellar Effect. With a background in music therapy and sound design, she blends technical skill with emotional depth to create immersive, human-centred audio experiences. Now at content agency 2Stories, she helps brands tell powerful stories through branded podcasts. MEET THE GUESTS Rucita Vassen @rucitavassen Rucita Vassen is a Cape Town-based designer and co-founder of Ananta Design Studio, where she and her sister Viveka reimagine African craft through bold, functional homeware and furniture. With a background in graphic design and a passion for cultural heritage, Rucita collaborates with artisan communities to create contemporary pieces that celebrate African stories while empowering local makers. Recognised as a Design Indaba Emerging Creative (2023) and a Création Africa Top 12 Entrepreneur (2024), she continues to champion design as a tool for social impact and storytelling. Digital Sangoma @digitalsangomaSpotify Mandisi Mafu, also known as Digital Sangoma, is a Cape Town-based producer whose distinctive sound fuses Kwaito, House, and Afrobeats with textured electronic synths and soulful, expressive vocals. Raised in the small Eastern Cape village of eNgqushwa, his music is deeply rooted in traditional rhythms while fearlessly exploring contemporary soundscapes, bridging the spiritual and the digital. Known for creating from pure feeling, his tracks resonate at frequencies that move listeners on a visceral level, often described as healing and uplifting. With a growing catalogue reflecting his evolution as both artist and human, Digital Sangoma has carved out a sound that is both personal and universal, a sonic journey that feels like freedom itself.
