After receiving more than 500 submissions from across the country, the Betway Cares Foundation has announced the Top 12 finalists selected for its Voices of Her mentorship programme, an initiative aimed at empowering emerging female vocalists and supporting the development of sustainable careers within South Africa’s music industry.
Representing all nine provinces, the finalists reflect the diversity and depth of the country’s creative talent. From urban centres such as Johannesburg and Soweto to cultural hubs including Umlazi, Bloemfontein and Polokwane.
A mentorship designed for today’s music industry
More than a traditional talent development programme, Voices of Her is a structured, multi-week mentorship designed to respond to the realities of the modern music industry. The programme combines two weeks of in-person residency in Johannesburg with five weeks of virtual learning, allowing participants to balance creative growth with practical skill-building.
Throughout the programme, finalists will engage in masterclasses and guided sessions focused on vocal development, performance, songwriting, creative direction, personal branding, financial literacy, and understanding the business of music. The aim is to equip artists not only to perform, but to navigate contracts, manage income streams, and build careers that are both independent and sustainable.
According to Bakang Lethoko, Head of the Betway Cares Foundation, the programme was created to address long-standing barriers faced by women in the music industry.
“Voices of Her is about more than music,” says Lethoko. “It’s about expanding access and ensuring that women are equipped not just to perform on stage, but to build and own their careers. When talented women are given the right tools, they create opportunities that extend far beyond themselves.”
Learning from industry leaders
The finalists will be mentored by a group of established artists and industry professionals, offering real-world insight into both the creative and commercial sides of the industry. Mentorship will focus on helping each participant refine her artistic identity while developing the confidence and skills needed to operate professionally within the music ecosystem.
To ensure equal access to learning, finalists will also receive the necessary tools to participate fully in the programme’s digital components, reinforcing the Foundation’s commitment to inclusion and long-term impact.
Voices of Her finalists
Gauteng
Nontobeko Masiye (Johannesburg)
Kutlwano Nyandeni (Kagiso)
Buhle Mashinini (Benoni)
Angella Mulaudzi (Soweto)
Modimooratile Tau (Kagiso)
Boitumelo Momakwe (Soweto)
KwaZulu-Natal
Sanelisiwe Majola (Umlazi)
Thembeka Duma (Durban Harbour)
Free State
Neo Mabote (Sasolburg)
Ncebakazi Qwanti (Bloemfontein)
Muhle Fulela (Bloemfontein)
Limpopo
Karabo Sithole (Mankweng, Polokwane)
Selected through a competitive judging process, the finalists were assessed not only on vocal ability, but also on artistic vision, originality and potential for long-term growth.
Building a movement, not just a moment
Voices of Her forms part of the Betway Cares Foundation’s broader commitment to empowerment through access, skills development and mentorship. By investing in women at an early stage of their careers, the programme seeks to contribute to a more inclusive and representative music industry, one where female artists are equipped to shape their own futures.
As the finalists prepare to begin their mentorship journey, Voices of Her positions itself not just as a programme, but as a growing movement dedicated to lifting the next generation of South African female voices.