My Final Reflection

I’m happy to share I successfully passed my thesis project with distinction!

About a year ago, I told my mum I think I am a Sociological Artist, the first time I shared it with her I too had no clue what that meant. Today, I am beginning to get glimpses to what that could mean for me. My multimodal project culminated in:

⭐2-part hoodie collection: here

⭐Student Symposium Production: here

⭐Video interview: https: here

⭐Blog Website: here

⭐50-page paper: here

It was a rollercoaster of a journey but one that made me value the work of knowledge production, cultural archives, and authentic representation. Whilst I’ve always known that I’m passionate and drawn to art and especially African art, in this process I was able to see the expansiveness of my passion.

As research so wonderfully teaches us, the more you search, the less you know. This truth although difficult to bargain with as it brings on an onslaught of overwhelming emotions, excitement, doubt and personal growth, what it fundamentally revealed to me is the abundance to learning and pursuing a growth mindset.

Though I now leave this chapter with richer insights into the history of Amapiano, the role of music in South Africa, and the radical potential of joy and narrative reclamation, I also find myself with more questions than I began with. I’m excited to keep seeking, questioning, and creating space for collective reflection. Phambili!

Thank you to my board of advisors Dr Swyers, Ajar Chekirova, Danielle Cohen and Todd Beer. To my cohosts Doyinsola and Mohamme. To my interviewees, DJ Mochi, Hawi Annette Odhiambo, Owenkosi Sigudla, Tatiana Madzika, Nthabiseng Mathabathe and Malume Oskido. And to my family and friends for listening to me talk about this project for months, brainstorming with me and supporting me through the finish line!

I will still be continuing on my journey of documenting Amapiano and the African Renaissance but this is marks the end of my content for my final thesis project.