2025 Women Of Live: Manaileng Maphike

Manaileng Maphike
Managing Director | Maphike Attorneys Inc.
Co-Founder, Chapter Chair | Women In Music South Africa

WHY YOU WANT HER ON YOUR SIDE | She’s represented “Heads of State, politicians,
world renowned businessmen and women, multinational companies, entertainers…”

As the live market on the African continent continues to build, with more markets and bigger venues coming online than ever before, as well as artists increasingly crisscrossing the Atlantic, Manaileng Maphike, in her capacity both as an attorney and chair of the South African chapter of Women in Music, is more than doing her part to ensure that women have a seat at Africa’s industry table. Plus, she’s a board member of Music Creators South Africa and a professional member of the Recording Academy.

“There are minimal spaces solely for women in music within the midst of the highly male-dominated South African music industry,” Maphike said in a statement with the launch of the South African chapter of WIM in 2020. “WIM South Africa is that space – a space where South African women can create networks with like-minded women from across the globe to propel their careers beyond the borders of South Africa.”

According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry’s (IFPI) 2024 Global Music Report, Sub-Saharan Africa has experienced the greatest growth of any territory in the world. “Sub-Saharan Africa once again had the fastest growth of any region,” the report said, “and was the only one to surpass 20% growth: revenues climbed by 24.7%, fueled by gains in paid streaming revenues (+24.5%). South Africa remained the largest market in the region, contributing 77.0% of regional revenues after growth of 19.9%.

Simultaneously, witness such global behemoths as Tems from Nigeria, who’s won two Grammy Awards including Best African Music Performance for “Love Me JeJe” and in 2023 won another for Best Melodic Rap Performance for “Wait For You” (featuring Drake). And her upcoming schedule includes an appearance at The Roots Picnic, which is being held at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia May 31 to June 1.

Maphike, with over 10 years in the legal industry (with areas of expertise including entertainment law) is an ideal advocate for women. As she states on her law firm’s site, she’s “represented Heads of State, Politicians, World renowned Businessmen and women, multi-national companies, government, state owned entities, creative agencies and entertainers (musicians, actors, producers, managers, influencers and content creators).” She’s someone you definitely want on your side of the table.