Aline: A New Dawn in African Talent Management

In a move that has sent ripples through the African entertainment industry, a new talent agency, Aline, has made its grand debut. The agency has hit the ground running by partnering with Grammy Award-winning artists Zakes Bantwini and Nomcebo Zikode, and the multi-faceted musician and entrepreneur Boity Thulo. This impressive lineup of A-list talent instantly positions Aline as a leading talent management agency in Africa.

Aline is not just a talent agency; it also produces live shows, content, experiential events, and concerts. Sibo Mhlungu, CEO of Aline, elaborated on the new partnership, stating, “We represent storytellers who shape culture while accelerating their growth through deepening connections with consumers, and forging partnerships across entertainment and media as we position our clients for success. We’re indebted to Tshepo Mahloele for believing in us and bringing this vision to life.”

Chairman Tshepo Mahloele expressed his pride in Aline, stating, “Aline is a reflection of the depth of quality and expertise that we have as a country and a continent, and we are proud to have it as part of our Arena. We have celebrated giants in the forms of Lucky Dube, Mahotella Queens to name a few, and we welcome Aline to the galaxy of stars.”

The launch of Aline signifies a new era in talent management, event production, and African arts, film, and music. The company aims to produce locally developed and globally competitive content, showcasing the work of world-class media and entertainment practitioners from the continent.

Aline’s long-term goal is to create a lasting legacy representing African talent and producing shows at the highest level by Africans. The agency also plans to expand its offerings beyond music into film and other creative arts.

Aline is a partnership between Independent Media Group Africa and The Music Arena. The Music Arena, led by CEO Antos Stella, oversees the world-renowned Gallo Records, one of the continent’s most historic record labels. Stella commented on the launch, saying, “This is a game changer for the music industry, bringing together a massive repertoire of talent that has such global appeal.”

The Music Arena also houses Content Connect Africa, which facilitates Gallo’s music and distribution wing. IMG Africa, co-founded by Zakes Bantwini and Sibo Mhlungu, is a leading talent agency and a recognized curator of world-class live concerts and events. With its unique ability to create moving billboards by enhancing and maintaining brand relationships, IMG Africa is set to contribute significantly to Aline’s success.