They are one of the most reputable black-owned creative agencies in the country. Led by a young, managing director and founder Sibu Mabena and a team of young creatives, Duma collective started in influencer management and evolved into a full-service company. For months, they managed talent, over and above events, public relations, social media, and multimedia production. Stars such as Kwesta, Jessica Nkosi, Mihlali Ndamase, Bonko Khoza, Somizi Mhlongo,and Motshidisi Mohono relied on them for handling their brands. In a statement, Duma Collective MD announced the closing of their artist management division and having to let go of their talent.
DUMA COLLECTIVE CLOSES ITS ARTIST MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
"The Duma Collective team has exponentially grown through the support of its partners and clients over the last couple of months. With the expansion, the business has had to re-look its offerings, and how each of them creates the most value for all stakeholders,' the statement reads.The plan is to focus more on other services that are more beneficial than talent management. "The Duma Collective team would like to focus on solidifying the position as a creative communications agency with other service offerings such as eventing, above the line, public relations, social media,influencer marketing, multi-media production, and talent procurement.'They went on to say, "The talent management arm of the business is no longer effective from 1 November 2022.' While this means that the company no longer has the direct representation of the following talent, Kwesta, Jessica Nkosi, Mihlali Ndamase, Bonko Khoza, Somizi Mhlongo, Motshidisi Mohono, the business will still offer procurement of talent for special projects and campaigns and maintain a good working relationship with all the talent it has previously managed.'The statement continued to encourage change. "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.It's not the end of the road, just a redirection which we're happy to take on as we'll continue to look for ways in which we can up the ante to deliver exceptional creative services for all clients.'
WHO IS DUMA COLLECTIVE
Duma Collective is also responsible for handling some of the country's biggest events such as Black Coffee's Music Is King, Metro FM Music Awards, Cassper Nyovest's Fill Up Series, and Home Coming Africa to name a few. Before starting her agency, Sibu has been freelancing doing events.She has been working since the age of 15 years old as a babysitter, dance instructor for other kids, and aftercare, making a decent amount at that age. At 19 years old, she was managing a group of dancers and she worked the Kendrick Lamar Three-City Tour while studying. In 2016, she hired her first assistant to be an intern and by 2019, she had 11 employees. In 2022,she sits with 40 staff members and a list of clients.
