Simthandile Mtolo

Simthandile is a visual artist and music professional from Durban, South Africa. Her career began as a 16 year old in 2004, when she landed her first role in The Unilever Young Performer's; "Oliver", a theatre musical directed by Themi Venturas at The Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre. As she bloomed, Simtha embraced the live entertainment industry and explored the various types and creative styles found in live art. She has also made strides behind the small screen as an actress on commercials under her former agent, Moonyeen Lee and Associates and as a presenter on SABC 2’s Hosanna. Simtha has also worked as a radio show host on Durban Youth Radio. She fell in love with jazz and soul music, and runs her arts business, Ebonygypsy Pty Ltd, where she works creating productions that allow her to present more than just her talents in performance.
She has staged over 30 self-funded productions, and has employed and worked with a great group of creatives. Some of her most successful productions include A Woman, A Hat, A Bag, And Her Belly which is an ongoing celebration of women through song, poetry, fashion, comedy and art, as well as The Township Jazz Society which books between 4 to 10 jazz bands with each show, visiting spaces in townships and eccentric places.
Simthandile is an innovative thinker who enjoys taking art and talent to the people. In her life, she hasn’t been exclusive to entertainment, but has exposed herself to other businesses which include her Nameless Shisanyama which was born out of the opportunity she saw when booked to perform in night markets and the likes. She built a pop - up braai bar and set it up in those spaces and in some of her events. Simthandile also has an earring and accessory line that runs off of Instagram as @EarringsbySimthandile.
As a solo artist, Simthandile has kept herself busy by entertaining in private events such as weddings, and grand birthday parties for high end clients, as well as in the corporate spaces for companies including hotels namely The Protea Edward Hotel, The Beverly Hills Hotel, Premier Hotel Umhlanga, Elangeni Hotel, Blueberry Hills Hotel and a long list more. She counts Verv Cliquot, The Durban Fashion Fair, Alice and Fifth Sandton Sun, Ikhono Communications, Native Child, Nivea, IBV International Volts Umhlanga and Hik Vision as some of her clients. Simtha has performed in some of our country’s best restaurants including Ther Marabi Jazz Lounge, Le Wine Chambre and Lupa Sun Coast. Her festival stages include The Hazelmere Dam Jazz Festival, The Wushwini Music Festival, The Ballito Christmas Fair Fund and the Macufe Indoor Jazz Experience where she performed alongside Sibongile Mngoma, Brenda Mntambo, Khanyo of Sarafina and a star studded orchestra in 2019.
Today Simthandile holds an impressive 18 year track record as an active creative practitioner who through her career has stretched herself in growing her repertoire and clientele through busking. She was awarded support from The Concerts SA...