Pinky Khotsholo is on a mission to set the stage for artists with disabilities to showcase their talents and earn a living from their craft
Drumroll Entertainment, a non- profit organisation started by Pinky Khotsholo, aims to provide a platform for artists with disabilities to showcase their talents. Founder Pinky shares: “I was inspired to start Drumroll because I wanted artists with disabilities to be given a platform where they can perform and get paid for their craft. I wanted to break the stereotype that a person with a disability belongs indoors; not seen as someone who has a life or a career.”
“As a musician, I always had the love for stage performances and I realised that not many artists with disabilities are given an opportunity to perform on stage in front of a cheering crowd, which really boosts your confidence as an artist,” she notes.
Pinky’s own passion for music started in primary school where she volunteered to sing at events. By her teens, she was performing at weddings, anniversaries and parties. Unfortunately, she suffered a spine infection that left her a paraplegic. Pinky felt lost.
In 2021, she entered the Isphiwo Samaciko Disability Talent Show and won! This victory reignited her passion for music. She began recording music professionally as an Afro-pop artists. She released her single “Ngyakukhumbula”, which has been promoted on prominent radio stations, including Ukhozi FM.
“It is important for artists with disabilities to get a platform to showcase their talents because we can make a living out of art. Such a platform helps put food on our table and gives us exposure for promoters, sponsors and people to recognise us and see what we are capable of.”
To help her fellow artists, Pinky hosted the Pinky First Lady and Friends Music Festival at the KZN Music House in Durban during August 2024.
The event provided an opportunity for musicians, dancers, poets and fashion designers to showcase their talents and creativity. Everyone is said to have enjoyed the festival. Pinky hopes to make this an annual event.
“It is my dream for this music festival to happen every year. To get more funders, more promoters, more recognition so that the event will grow. If the event is growing, it will mean more jobs for artists. My dream is for Drumroll to have an art centre one day,” she shares.
One of the performers at the event, Nelisiwe Sibiya, a dancer with a disability, shares why this festival is so important: “Many organisations claim to cater to people with disabilities, but often they are unsure of how to include us in a dance piece, or they use us merely to secure funding.”
“Many individuals are stuck in roles they don’t enjoy because the entertainment industry overlooks them, leading to neglected gifts.”
Nelisiwe is familiar with the hardship of having to carve a space for yourself in the industry to practice your craft. She started dancing in school, but there weren’t any accommodations made for her.
“In school, I always participated in dancing and did most of the choreography, especially in high school, as the dance classes did not cater to wheelchair users,” she notes.
Fortunately, she would go on to audition with her dance partner at the Playhouse Durban, which was hosted by African Sinakho Arts. This platform provided her with many more opportunities.
“They appreciated our performance, and we became part of their organisation. This opportunity led to collaborations with other groups like Dance Movement and City Celebration, who noticed my work and invited me to join them,” she adds.
Aside from the opportunities and income that a stage for artists with disabilities can offer, it brings awareness.
“Growing up, I thought that not being able to walk meant that I could never dance until I saw other people in wheelchairs dancing. This exposure ignited my passion for dance. Dancing brings me immense joy, and it feels fulfilling to be paid to do something I love,” Nelisiwe shares.
“Drumroll is a crucial stepping stone for uplifting artists with disabilities. What sets Drumroll apart is that it is run by someone with a disability, who has faced industry hardships and identified a gap, then created an organisation to support us. I believe that having a space like Drumroll is essential for allowing us to pursue careers using our talents,” she concludes.
Pinky plans to bring the festival back in 2025 and is seeking assistance with funding. She shares: “I’m seeking funding to support my 2025 event, to cover catering, venue hire, sound system hire, and artist fees, to surpass last year’s success.”
Reach out to Pinky on 079 672 4246 or pinkymbaliphiri@gmail.com to learn more.
