Downtown Music Services Appoints Thando Makhunga as Managing Director of Sheer Publishing Africa

16 February 2022 - Press release

Downtown Music Holdings has announced the appointment of Thando Makhunga to the position of Managing Director of Sheer Publishing Africa.

Based in Johannesburg Thando report directly to Mike Smith, Global President of Downtown Music Services, a division of Downtown that offers bespoke distribution, publishing administration, creative marketing and finance solutions to entrepreneurial creators and their partners. Her appointment is effective immediately.

In her new role Thando has a remit to optimize the company’s business development in the region by leveraging the expertise, services and technology at Sheer to provide increased value for African creators. The company’s focus is to fully embrace and enable the growing global demand for African music and to improve its accessibility, commercial opportunities and global reach.

The appointment follows Sheer Founder David Alexander’s appointment as Senior Vice President, New Markets for Downtown Music Holdings in June of 2021.

Sheer, which was established in 1996 and has grown into the largest music publishing administrator in Africa, was acquired by Downtown in 2020. The Company has an in-depth knowledge of the music publishing industry alongside a highly skilled professional team that provides solutions, services and insights to help its clients navigate a vibrant and complex African market. In conjunction with the global capabilities of Downtown, it aims to position the business as the premier partner for independent songwriters and labels, while offering authentically African solutions for creative and sync partnerships.

Thando joins Downtown Music Services from her previous position of Station Manager of 947, the largest commercial regional radio station in South Africa. Originally from Durban, her broadcasting career started at a leading coastal brand ‘East Coast Radio’, which then led to roles at KFM 94.5 in the Western Cape, Vuma FM in Kwazulu Natal and Group Music Manager at Primedia Broadcasting.

At 947 her responsibilities included growing audiences and revenue in a very competitive terrestrial radio market that was being disrupted by changing consumer habits and increased digital consumption of content and music. The station remains a market leader in the industry.

Mike Smith, Global President of Downtown Music Services said, “Thando is a proven executive who has an amazing track record in the radio industry, strong links with artists and labels and is highly thought of throughout the wider African music industry. Her experience, energy and insight will be a major asset for Sheer Publishing Africa and she will play a major role in consolidating the company’s reputation as a market leader and expanding its already excellent expertise, services and technology.”

Thando Makhunga said, “I’m thrilled to be taking this new role at such an exciting time for Downtown Music Services and Sheer. The opportunity to shape, support and enable increased growth for clients with improved offerings is exhilarating and rewarding. At our core, we nurture, curate and protect the artistic legacies of some of the best creators in Africa and that is an honour”.