DJ Naida makes her mark

By Sharon Muguwu |Daily News|

DJ Naida, regarded by many as the country’s best female disc jockey, quit banking after finding the allure of the turntables irresistible.

After graduating with a bachelor of financial planning degree at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University a few years ago, DJ Naida, who was born Colleen Danai Goredema, got a job at a top bank in South Africa.

“When I was in South Africa, I was working for the Standard Bank Group as a financial planner. I then moved back home and worked for (the now-defunct) Royal Bank,” DJ Naida told the Daily News on Sunday.

The former Westridge High and Lomagundi High School student turned to friends to nurture her deejaying skills.

“I officially started deejaying five years ago when I came back to Zimbabwe from South Africa. I learnt to deejay in South Africa. I had a friend showing me the ropes there. When I came back, I also had a DJ friend — DJ Trikx — helping me,” she said.

The affable club DJ is happy with the way her career is panning out.

“I have three or four gigs in a week. I have residencies at Pariah State (Avondale), Pariah State (Borrowdale) and The Rock (formerly Spook House).

“I can say that I am doing okay, the money is okay as well. I work two or three days a week and get paid as much as someone who works all days of the month,” said DJ Naida.

She, however, conceded working in the male-dominated industry has not been plain-sailing.

“A lot of people look down on my actual talent, saying that I am a woman. Men do things that are ruthless. I guess this is always the case in any industry that is male-dominated.

“The good part of being a female DJ is that people get curious over what a female DJ can do and give me a chance,” she said.

Despite the challenges, DJ Naida is hopeful that she is inspiring some upcoming female DJs.

“My advice to any female is that you cannot be miserable and not chase your dream. You have to push; if I had not pushed, I would not be where I am today,” she advised.

The country’s leading female DJ looks up to DJ Zinhle from South Africa for inspiration.

“She does a lot of different things and is strong in everything she does. She has also given back a lot which is one of her key traits that make me admire her,” she told the Daily News on Sunday.

Unlike other DJs who subscribe to specific genres, DJ Naida, who is also a musician, insists that quality should be the sole selection method.

“I play good music. My music selection is influenced by my moods, energy from the audience, what’s popular at the time and many other factors,” she said.

Though her music career is playing second fiddle to deejaying, DJ Naida revealed that she will be releasing a single soon.

“I am also a musician; I was one before I started deejaying. I will be releasing a single in a month’s time.

“Last year, I released Jaivha which was a house track. I do have a lot more music, some unreleased,” said the multi-talented artiste.