IN CONVERSATION WITH AYANDA JIYA, SINGER & SONGWRITER

Loading player...
Ayanda Jiya is a sultry singer and songwriter from the North West Province in South Africa. She was born in small town called Klerksdorp back in 1987. Musically she is influenced by a lot of genres she grew up listening to, mostly Gospel, Jazz, Neo Soul and RnB. With a family who supported her talent, she was nurtured in the comfort of her own home to become a musician and an exceptional songwriter. Music Journey Working as an Indie Artist, not signed to any major label, Ayanda has worked hard not only to create and produce great music, but also to build her brand. The songstress was nominated for “Best RnB Single” at the Metro FM Awards in 2015 for her hit song “Go Go Girl”.
Now Ayanda has gone independent and is recognised internationally. In 2016 she was granted to perform in Sri Lanka’s capital city Colombo, at their Annual Jazz Festival. She released her second EP “To Whom It May Concern” on the 8th of June 2017. It hit number 1 in its first week of release on both iTunes and Google Play. Her first single “I’m Doing Fine” and second single “Outta Control” were on rotation on all national radio stations. In 2021 she was nominated at the South African Music Awards (SAMAs) for best music video.
In 2024, she got nominated for Best Soul/RnB Album in the 30th South African Music Awards.
In 2025 she embarked on her national tour that started in Durban on the 25th of February, and is set to hit Johannesburg on the 29th of March, with other cities yet to be announced. She also released her first single of 2025 in February, with another one set to drop on the 28th of March. Career Highlights Ayanda finally released her highly anticipated debut album, simply titled “AYANDASTAND”, on the 8th of August 2019. It debuted at number one on iTunes and Google Play.
She teamed up with Areece for her first single “Falling For You”, which dropped on the 14th February 2019. Her previous single, “The Sun” charted at number 2 across all radio stations in South Africa. Guest features on AYANDASTAND included Stogie T, Ziyon and Naomi Parchment (USA).
14 Mar 2025 English South Africa Entertainment News · Music Interviews

Other recent episodes

In Conversation with Yvonne Maphosa, the Author of "My Sister’s Lover"

Love, jealousy and family loyalty take a dark turn in My Sister’s Lover, a new novel by Zimbabwean-born author Yvonne Maphosa that explores the consequences of forbidden desire, complicated relationships and decisions that can change lives. Published by Kwela Books on 13 October 2026, the novel follows Lelani Ncube, whose…
29 Oct 13 min

In Conversation with Michelle Mndau Staffing and Recruitment Manager at Cox Yeats Attorneys

For many law students, earning a qualification is only the beginning of the journey into the legal profession. Securing practical experience, navigating graduate recruitment and understanding what employers expect can present additional challenges for young people preparing to enter the workplace. In South Africa, becoming a practicing legal professional involves…
29 Oct 12 min

In Conversation with Igenda Ejekwu Client Manager Business Rescue and Insolvency at Galetti Corporate Real Estate

For many South Africans, owning a home remains an important financial and personal goal. However, with the cost of living placing pressure on household budgets, the decision to buy property requires careful consideration of affordability, financing and the long-term responsibilities of homeownership. For prospective buyers, particularly first-time buyers, the purchase…
29 Oct 9 min

In Conversation with Matthew Parks, COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) presented its submission on Government’s Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) to Parliament’s Standing and Select Committees on Finance. Whilst appreciating the many competing demands facing the state, we remain deeply disappointed that once again Treasury and government collectively missed the opportunity to…
29 Oct 6 min