Bahatii Sithole is an artist from South Africa. Singer, Songwriter, Performer, founder of Bahatii Productions and a TV Producer, she has released her debut album called 'Ekhaya' and it is available on iTunes and other. She has worked with Zambian born artist Mwaba Phiri on a album called 'Your Music Needs You'. She also featured on a song 'One Love One Africa' by various artists. Bahatii Sithole has worked for the national broadcaster SABCNews for more than ten years and CNBCAfrica. Afrique Destinations interviewed her exclusively for its readers.
Afrique Destinations: Bahatii Sithole, thank you for agreeing to take part in our Interview. To begin, as an artist-musician, how can you present to our readers in the most complete way possible?
Bahatii Sithole: Bahatii Sithole was born and raised in KwaZulu-Natal, Durban in uMlazi township. Her parents were elders in church so she is a pastor’s kid. She is a Singer, Songwriter, TV Producer, and mother of one.
Afrique Destinations: As far as you can go back in your memories, is there something that predestined you there?
Bahatii Sithole: Singing in the church choir and also at school. In our church, we went as far as singing choral and that is where my voice was really pruned. I got all lead sopranos perhaps because I had a voice of an angel as a kid….*smiling*
Afrique Destinations: I imagine that it took a certain process before deciding to embrace a career as a musician. How did you come to music?
Bahatii Sithole: To prove to myself that I was made to I went to almost all auditions that were there but never make it! But there was one judge for Lion King who said to me “You have a really good voice, I believe in you but you need all of us to say yes”. That was Lebo M Lion King’s producer and composer. That was my last audition. I took those words put them in a box somewhere and waited for my time.
Afrique Destinations: You are a Performer and you sing both in English and in South African languages. But you are also an author and composer. Do you have any favorite themes or what inspires you the most?
Bahatii Sithole: I am inspired by life itself. I write about hope, the state of our country, I write about believing in yourself, hey I write about love.
Afrique Destinations: What kind of music do you make?
Bahatii Sithole: I am a Jazz Singer but I don’t put myself in a box. Give me house music I will sing. Recently I was featured in a Hip Hop jam…amazing what a voice can do!
Afrique Destinations: Tell us about the Albums to your credit to date and what you need to understand about their titles for those who don't know them yet…
Bahatii Sithole: My debut album was released in 2019 called ‘EKHAYA’ Home. We cooked a mean album with the band and it was well received. In the album, I sang about love, family, current affairs of the country a bit of gospel. In 2022 I released a single talking about the African continent. My story there is simple can we as Black believe in ourselves more and not shy away from showing the world who we are and what we are made of?
Afrique Destinations: What led you to found of Bahatii Productions?
Bahatii Sithole: Before I started my journey in the music I decided to arm myself with information. So, I spent most of my time going to music workshops, summits, conferences, etc. so I can an idea of what is in store for me. I learned that music is business and you should treat it as such.
Afrique Destinations: Bahatii Sithole, what is your view of South African music on the one hand and African music in general on the other hand?
Bahatii Sithole: Music is evolving and with social media, it has reached places you can never think of. African music is rich with beats and sound there is no way it cannot compete with the rest of the world.
Afrique Destinations: If I am not mistaken, you are not only a singer, author, composer, producer, you are also an entrepreneur. Where does this energy come from and do you find time outside of your Universe?
Bahatii Sithole: There is a saying “Do what you love and you will never work a day in your life” so it doesn’t feel like work. I haven’t reached my goal but I am happy to say I see the fruits of my work.
Afrique Destinations: You are a great artist-musician in South Africa, how do you explain the fact that you are not as well known as in South Africa within Africa and even beyond?
Bahatii Sithole: I am not signed with any record label so it’s going to take time for my brand to be known and I am well aware of that. As an independent artist, you got to work 100 times before your work is acknowledged, and also timing and luck they say…
Afrique Destinations: Could we know what are the pending projects of Bahatii Sithole?
Bahatii Sithole: I’m actually in the studio working on some full-soul singing. Here you will hear growth and confidence in the voice itself.
Afrique Destinations: What would you say to young women who would be tempted to get involved in music but who are still reluctant to take the plunge, and especially to get involved as an Entrepreneur in the field of music?
Bahatii Sithole: Music is broad there is more to do and to learn. They must get more information about the industry. It is a fickle industry.
Afrique Destinations: If you have a message for the public and especially for African countries and the French-speaking world, what would you say?
Bahatii Sithole: Let us nurture our talents while we are still young. Let us be bold and show the world who we are and what we are capable of. Would it hurt to learn about each other’s gifts, crafts, culture and mineral resources?
Interview by Marcus Boni Teiga
