Africa’s music industry is booming, but the artists driving that growth are not always the ones building lasting wealth from it. For Zamani Ndimande, that gap became impossible to ignore.
After starting out in manual and service-sector work in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal, Ndimande entered the business of music with a simple conviction: talent alone is not enough. Artists need the right structures, business knowledge and access to capital to turn creativity into sustainable wealth.
That philosophy led to the creation of Jayzee Records, founded with business partner Joseph Malunega. The label places talent above social media numbers and hype—and in less than three years, has already earned two award nominations.
But Ndimande’s ambitions extend far beyond music.
Through Bayeni Holdings, founded in 2016, he has built a multi-division group spanning corporate consulting, brand development and media through Activa Media Group. At its core is a mission to help African creatives bridge the gap between talent and the corporate world.
His work extends beyond his own businesses. Through Afri Masterclass, a free mentorship initiative, and the African Music Business Dialogue in Accra, Ndimande is tackling some of the industry's most persistent challenges, from copyright and revenue literacy to the professionalisation of creative businesses.
His journey raises a bigger question: Can Africa’s creative economy turn extraordinary talent into extraordinary wealth for the people creating it?
In this edition of Africa Talks Business, Ndimande opens up about building two companies, navigating growth without significant early external capital, the power of networking, and why he believes success means little if the people around you are not rising too.
Read the full conversation in this edition.
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