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 THAKHANI KHOROMMBI

Health experts and government officials are calling for a stronger focus on prevention, healthier lifestyle choices and harm reduction as South Africa continues to face a growing burden of chronic diseases. The call was made at the Wellness Collective Summit, hosted by WomenCan at Pere House on Tuesday. The event…
19 Aug 14 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH INNOCENT MOLOI

A Muslim social worker’s firearm licence application was reportedly rejected after she was allegedly told that her application photograph, in which she was wearing a hijab, “may not be accepted”. The incident has raised questions about whether South African law allows religious head coverings in firearm licence photographs and whether…
19 Aug 7 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH REFILOE NT'SEKHE

The Gauteng Department of Social Development has 170 critical frontline posts currently vacant, including 102 social worker positions and 74 child and youth care worker positions. These professionals provide essential services to vulnerable residents, including children affected by abuse and neglect, victims of gender-based violence, older people and communities dealing…
19 Aug 9 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH Onwabile Lubhelwana

The Gauteng Department of Education is investigating allegations of sexual harassment involving an educator and a 17-year-old Grade 12 learner at Minerva Secondary School. According to the department, the alleged inappropriate communication between the educator and the learner began in June 2026 and reportedly continued through WhatsApp and other interactions…
19 Aug 7 min

IN CONVERSATION WITH TIEGO KHOZA- POLITICAL ANALYST

Today’s proceedings at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry placed alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala firmly in the spotlight. Appearing under subpoena at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria, Matlala repeatedly invoked his constitutional right against self-incrimination when questioned about the controversial R360 million SAPS Medicare24 tender, a contract…
18 Aug 8 min