By Zuko Komisa
Born in Thembisa, Shimza is amongst South Africa’s brightest talents. Real name Ashley Raphala, Shimza recently featured as a guest on Blom Blom on Good Friday with Skhumba and Ndumiso.

Also Read: Spinning Queen Stacey-lee May and her need for speed
In music circles, he is occasionally referred to as “Effect Master’ and ’Vinyl Assassin’. As a producer and promoter, he has sharpened his skill since the age of 15 and today performs in some of the biggest music festivals in the World. Having grown up in Thembisa, he admits that his upbringing in the township has taught him many lessons.
“Growing up in Thembisa, I have to say my neighborhood has taught me to be strong, there are a lot of brutal people out there. And also that you can support someone and really nurture the community.”
Listen to the full conversation here:
In 2009, Shimza’s One Man Show sponsored school uniforms and stationery for school kids from his hometown of Tembisa. He has taken his One Man Show internationally with events in both Portugal and Paris and says he wanted it to be an event that started small in Thembisa and then to the world. Shimza also shared some of his money lessons he has learned over the years.
Also Read: Small changes to help you save R400 every month
“When it comes to my relationship with money, I have learned that I need to let it work for me. I let my money work for me, I don’t work for money. I’ll take the money I make from my gigs and put it away for my show in December”
Shimza has a series of One Man Show in a city near you, this weekend he will be performing the Soweto leg of his one-man show.
Young Gifted and Black: Asnath Mahapa, first black female commercial pilot



