"As an artist, performing the music I create to a live audience is very important to me. It's a different skill to create music in the studio, and it keeps me connected to the people."

"Even during the toughest of times, when I am on stage and the flow and exchange of light and energy is happening between me and the crowd, everything inside and all around catches fire; a bright burning fire. That’s what keeps me going. That is what I do it for"

"It was worth the experience. It was so nice to see South Africa taking an interest in boxing. And I posted afterwards that this man (Nyovest) got the whole continent watching boxing"

"One thing I will do is appreciate every milestone in my career ... I'm grateful for this talent and more for the recognition for it. To going bigger and celebrating more."

"Noxolo and I had coaching lessons and counselling. It helped a lot having to understand that these are people’s lives and they sometimes get killed based on whom they choose to love. Portraying those characters was serious for us."

"It was a beautiful story about being lesbian in an African community like KwaMashu. I enjoyed playing that character and it was out of my comfort zone,"

"She believed in me so much and could see that being in the public eye was something I enjoyed. From singing to dancing and doing drama, I was always that kid"

"There was a time in my life when I was working in retail because I thought showbiz wasn’t happening for me and I had invested so much. I worked for like, a year, before I was hired at Gagasi FM. Folding clothes in retail is not easy, but all of that builds you"

"It is through your direction that Mhlengi is now a household name. I am speechless, but truly grateful to God for his divine blessings ... and congrats to my fellow nominees,” he wrote."

"My heart is filled with so much gratitude. Farewell Shoki! Thank you so much to everyone who has embraced and loved Shoki over the years. It’s because of this character that I’ve become a household name and got my start in this industry."

"The future, I am just happy to take one step at a time. I’ve learnt to be patient with myself and trust my journey. So wherever God is going to place me next is where I will be next."

"Because of social media, everything is so available."

"Women need to rely on each other more and be open to being relied on, as we are the best advocates for our own success."

"Realistically, men have held many of these influential positions for years, which can limit access for women. I don’t like that reality; but given the current climate, it’s crucial for women to support each other and create our own opportunities."

"I often hear questions about opportunities for women and whether there’s equality. I feel these questions should also be directed at the men in the industry who are in charge of allocating opportunities. It would be interesting to hear their perspectives and how they think we can move forward towards equality."

"When I’m working, I stay centred by meditating and prioritising breathing – breath is life."

"However, I also realise that sometimes you do have to take on projects that don’t perfectly align with your values. In those cases, I think it’s important to find my “why”. I need to find a way to connect with it somehow. This helps me maintain a sense of purpose and integrity, even in situations where I have to compromise."

"Maybe it’s wise, maybe it’s not. Sometimes you do really need to secure the bag, but if there’s one thing I want to keep, it’s my integrity."

"I see people comparing themselves constantly. I remind myself, this is my journey and I need to honour it."

"I try not to conform and prefer to stay in my own world. I spend a lot of time alone, which allows me to hear my own voice more clearly and avoid getting caught up in industry noise. I’m still learning about this industry and don’t know it deeply, but I’ve realised it’s easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing."

"What’s yours is yours, regardless of age."

"And for the first time, I saw how my own music had the power to connect with different races. In those spaces it didn't matter that I was black. It didn't matter that I was young. It didn't matter that I was female. It was just beautiful music. And it gave me a taste and the possibility of freedom, I think."

"Going on that inward journey has led me to this point where I feel I need to share my story for the benefit of others. To explore my individual voice apart from the collective."

"My mom died when I was six. My fondest memory of her was colouring in. She taught me to colour in the lines. I felt so safe, like I was infinitely loved. When she died, I struggled to find a new way to colour in the lines."

"We are all different and the most successful artists are those who come up with something unique."

"Make small goals – ones that you can see yourself attaining – and celebrate each step of the way. You’re alive. Life wants you to be, and that’s got to count for something. Appreciate life."

"I think that this thing of men being the leaders and women having to follow is going to go away. In many parts of the world, it’s the rule of law that men and women should take the lead even though it’s very difficult in societies to find it that way. But in our band, we see each other as equals and my role in the band is my role in the band, so one can’t argue about that simply because I am a woman."

"As a human being, your priorities change, naturally, when you have kids, if you are consciously parenting. Things change. By definition, your identity changes as well, particularly if you’re a mother."

"Too often, we like to think of ourselves as somehow being separate from nature when the truth is we belong to nature."

"Overcoming is not a one step process."

"So, nature is a very big influence for me and conservation is close to my heart."

"I also just think that in general about life, whatever you experience feeds into whatever you end up doing."

"I've got a new story. A new chapter - deliberately created. In this part I show respect for myself and my world."

"Our world is changing. The old stories have worn thin. We're telling new stories now. We're creating new realities: ones which inspire and give us true power."

"Accept your situation; that way, you can figure out how to navigate it from an empowered space."

"I do believe in love—as a verb. Not as some airy-fairy feeling. As a verb. As something you do, you think and you speak."

"If you don't invest in yourself, who do you expect to do that?"

"We need to own our space. We need to own our career. We need to own our creativity. We need to know that it's possible."

"I have been exposed to phenomenal opportunities and I’m not restricted to the confines of any geographic space. My talent is my passport throughout the world. My work fuels me and my purpose and I can channel the influence I gain into what I call spirit work, that’s an amazing thing to me."

"I want to empower other women struggling with weight to see their health in a whole new light. I want them to embrace non-scale victories and understand their bodies inside and out. That’s where the real transformation happens — nourishing not only our bodies, but our minds and souls too."

"This campaign is about putting our bodies where our minds are at."

"I don't think it ever truly affected my self-esteem, but I have never been in a body I enjoy, and I sincerely hope to change that."

"The industry is still struggling to see plus size actors as romantic leads, or deep intricate story bearers who aren't there for just comic relief."

"Fat-erasure is still a very tense conversation in casting rooms, and I believe that until we can all have the seemingly difficult conversations, and make bold choices that truly represent South Africa, we will continue to raise a society filled with unnecessary shame, a warped understanding of beauty and the striving for unrealistic aesthetic standards."

"The conversation is bigger than just fat people on screen, the conversation is bigger, deeper, and definitely political."

"I’ve always understood that we’re on this earth to do something and I’ve known that mine is to do with acting. I am constantly inspired by my love for the craft and the ability to tell beautiful stories through my work. Even though some characters are fictional, the stories I tell are not."

"It’s empowering to give a voice to the voiceless."

"Understanding that my talent can take me to places that my pocket cannot."

"The joys: you can do what you love. I’m able to live my dream, which I know is a luxury. I know I’ve risen above so much history and I’m able to dream, that’s a beautiful thing."

"I’d love to be known as somebody who used her influence for the betterment of her people. I want to be remembered as somebody who fought for dignity for all, showed people love, a great mother and a wonderful partner."