Meet the Judges

PODCAST CATEGORY

Heneka Watkis-Porter

Entrepreneur, Corporate podcast Host/Producer, coach, 7x author, international speaker, and host of The Entrepreneurial You Podcast and TV Show.

Heneka has interviewed Lisa Nichols, Les Brown, Richard Branson, John Lee Dumas, Evan Carmichael, Paul Carrick Brunson, Seth Godin, and many other influencers.

Connect with Heneka about done-for-you podcasting services that The Entrepreneurial You Media provides.

Angela Machua

Project and Data Management Consultant at Afripods

Angela Machua, a project and data management consultant at Afripods, is a passionate advocate for African voices and stories in the podcasting industry. Angela believes in the potential of podcasting in Africa and envisions a vibrant and inclusive podcasting community. As a data manager in the podcasting industry, she seeks to leverage advanced analytics and insights to drive informed decisions, enhance user experiences, and contribute to the growth and innovation of the platform.

She is also an advocate for mental health and is the host of the Zen Moments Podcast.

Jonathan Warncke

Managing Director of the South African Podcasters Guild

Jonathan is the managing director of the South African Podcasters Guild. How did that happen?

Copywriter –> Creative Director –> Freelancer –> Podcaster –> Community Builder

Sean Loots

Award-winning South African Radio presenter, Podcast host, Producer and Creative Entrepreneur

Sean Loots is the founder of The Podcast Catalyst and is on a mission to build a community of like-minded creators.

Having performed on stages, MC’d music festivals, and hosted 2010 World Cup events, Sean now hosts live workshops and industry events, bringing creators of all abilities together.

Through his podcast consultancy, Sean helps both local and international clients capture meaningful stories. You can find his podcast “Something Shifted” on all major podcast players.

Tony Doe

Podcaster, Broadcaster, Radio Consultant

Tony Doe Audio Content Strategist, with years of experience On-Air, in Production And Management For Multi-Format Radio Stations, most recently at Wazobia 93.7 FM, Onitsha, where he led a team of on-air talents as Programmes’ Manager to top 3 status in the region, growing the audience share by 75% in 3 months.

He currently curates, produces and hosts the informative hybrid newsletter-podcast, ‘Into The Podverse’, which explores challenges and opportunities for podcasters from an African perspective. It also features exclusive interviews with masters of the podverse, all aimed at helping to elevate the voices and experiences of the podcasting community.

Tony also has other shows as ‘The Tony Doe Podcast’, with radio broadcasters as guests and ‘Up Gunners!’ A weekly review and tribute to his favourite football team, Arsenal FC.

VOICEOVER CATEGORY

Jennifer Kanari

Pro-Voice Talent, Executive Voice Coach, Founder of The Voice Actors League of Kenya (VALK) Secretary, Kenya Casting Agents, Models and Talent, Welfare Association (KECAMTWA)

Jennifer Kanari is a versatile African Voice Actor and an Executive Voice Coach, lending her voice to varied production and coaching voice actors and professionals in diverse fields since 2013.

She is the Founder of The Voice Actors League of Kenya (VALK), a voice acting community that provides education, support and resources for its growing member body, which now extends beyond Kenya to Uganda, Zimbabwe and Nigeria. She is the secretary of the Kenya Casting Agents, Models and Talent Welfare Association, KECAMTWA.

Remi Olutimayin

Voice Director, Voice Actor

Winner SOVAS 2023 Award for Outstanding Animation Character – Film or TV – Best African Voiceover

APVA African Voice Director Legacy Award Winner.

Kevin Masaba

Ugandan Radio programmer, consultant, come Radio coach founder of radiomind Africa, championing mentorship of Radio and Podcaster in schools and universities across Uganda

He has an extensive background in radio programming, having developed over 20 radio stations in Uganda and around three in Tanzania, Rwanda, and other parts of Southeast Africa. With a career spanning 22 years, he has navigated through various roles starting from his high school days. Notable experiences include his tenure at major media outlets in Uganda such as Capital Radio, Vision Group, and Monitor/NMG. Additionally, he briefly served as a practical radio tutor at the university level.

As a university graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Arts with majors in English, he underwent training in Germany focused on radio programming and management at LAWO, earning several certificates in media along the way.

Ayo Moore

Award-winning copywriter and voice artist, Founder of Moore Audio

Ayo Moore is clearly one of the gifted ideas and creative thinkers in town. He’s an award-winning copywriter with over ten years experience in delivering quality content and advertising campaigns.

He’s worked on brands like Quickteller, Interswitch, Close-up, Lipton, Bang &; Olufsen, Johnnie Walker, Ciroc, Green Africa Airways, Dano and MTN, where he’s a member of the trio that created the highly acclaimed #MTNManInTheBox Campaign. Ayo is also a radio guru. His passion for the audio medium led him to create Moore Audio, an audio production company that makes radio commercials, jingles, podcasts, audio drama, audiobooks and other forms of audio content.

He’s written and produced audio dramas like Death by Scrabble, Surgery Prep, Transfer. And he’s produced radio commercials and audio projects for brands like 9Mobile, Wakanow, Kuda, Cowrywise, Stanbic IBTC, OctaFX, amongst others.

He was one of the judges for the 9th Voice Arts Awards (SOVAS, 2023) in Hollywood.

SPOKEN WORD CATEGORY

Njeri Wangari

Kenyan poet, storyteller, freelance journalist, and communications consultant based in Nairobi

She has over 8 years of experience as a podcaster, blogger, correspondent, feature writer, and editor with Kenyanpoet.com, The Elephant, and Global Voices, respectively.
Her poetry has appeared on Badilisha Poetry, The East African, Kwani! & Msafiri.. She has performed at events such as Kwani & Story Moja Festivals, Global Voices Summit, Tedx Nairobi & Still Water Middle School in Minnesota. Her writing has appeared in Al Jazeera, Coda Story, Devex, Damn Magazine, This is Africa and Tangaza Magazine. She currently runs Afrokidz, whose goal is to record, digitize, and curate African children’s folklore.

Wangui Kimani

Award-winning poet and award-winning co-director

Wangui Kimani is an award-winning poet and award-winning co-director with prowess in Poetry.

Her genre is Floetry, a combination of poetry, music, fashion, and her fabulous presence. She explores her vernacular language in her poems and draws her inspiration from the experiences of young women and the community around her . Wangui has a distinctive voice which she uses in voiceovers and hosting. She is a muse, stage manager, director, and mentor, supporting performers to hone their art.

Kabera Angel Amahoro

SOET (Song-Poet) and creator of "Soetry," and a journalist

Meet Kabera, a vibrant SOET (Song-Poet) and creator of “Soetry.” A journalist by day, she fuses music and poetry to craft immersive experiences. Rooted in her African heritage, Kabera’s performances delve into human emotions, connecting hearts through heartfelt verses. Beyond the stage, she shapes narratives for individuals and organizations. Discover Kabera’s harmonious blend of music and poetry, weaving stories that resonate deeply.