Sissy K's first international performance: a major turning point for the young amapiano DJ

Cape Town-based Sisipho Kwinana, known on stage as Sissy K, is preparing for the most significant step in her career so far.

The amapiano DJ has secured her first international booking and will travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where she will perform in Lubumbashi on Friday, November 28, and on Saturday, November 29.

For the young artist, this moment represents a turning point that she has been working toward since she first discovered her interest in music at home.

Sissy K described her route to this opportunity as unexpected. She explained that the booking came through another DJ from Cape Town who had followed her sets across the city.

“He has seen me play at most establishments around Cape Town,” she said. 

“He knew my work and recommended me for a gig in the DRC. He connected me with the promoter, and when I sent through my material, they were very impressed.”

She said that the chance to represent both her city and her country on an international stage feels meaningful. “I feel honoured to be given an opportunity to represent my country and my hometown through my craft,” she said.

“This is something I always wanted to do, and I am thrilled that it is happening so soon. I am also quite young, so it fills my heart with joy to be able to do this at such a young age. I hope this opportunity will pave the way for other South Africans and women DJs in particular.”

Her journey into music began with her father, Anthony Sotiya, whose own work as a DJ shaped her early ideas about the profession.

“I grew up seeing him play for people, making them dance and feel happy. He was my first point of reference in knowing what I wanted to do with my life,” she said.

While his genre was different, she said that the influence came more from the environment that he created than from the sound itself. “My dad played afro tech, so he did not influence my sound, but he did shape my interest in DJing.”

Amapiano is the genre she now gravitates toward and the one she has developed into her signature. She said that she discovered it at a time when she was making important decisions about her future.

“Amapiano was introduced to me during my matric year. It is a year full of decision-making, and finding a genre that spoke to me so much gave me certainty about the direction I wanted to take.”

Over the past few years, she has built her presence across Cape Town venues, and certain moments have reassured her that she is moving in the right direction. One of the strongest memories came when she shared a line-up with DBN Gogo, a DJ she had long admired.

“She is one of the best female DJs, and being booked on the same night as her was a beautiful moment for me,” she said. “It assured me that I am doing well and that I am going far.”

As the amapiano scene continues to shift, she tries to remain alert to new sounds while staying rooted in what speaks to her. She credited social media with making it easier to keep up.

“You always have to be updated about what is new, and you have to sit down and listen to the music you play to familiarise yourself with the songs,” she said.

Her upcoming trip to the DRC is both a professional step and a personal milestone. “I am excited about my sets, because I will be playing for the crowd and for myself,” she said.

“I will be playing for the little girl who had a dream and ran with it. It is not easy to make a living as a creative, so you have to really love what you do. This opportunity will be memorable because it is my first time playing outside the country.”

She is also looking forward to experiencing a new environment. “I want to learn about the culture in Congo and practice the little French that I know.”

Looking ahead, she sees this trip as the beginning of a longer journey. Her hopes for the next few years include major festival appearances and a slow and deliberate expansion of her brand.

“I dream of playing on the biggest platforms in the country, such as Rocking the Daisies, MTN Bush Fire, K Day and Afro Nation. I want to work on music, but I do not want to rush. I want to tour and showcase my skills across the globe. Congo is my first stop.”