The founder of the 100% African women-owned Rudijoe Media & Advertising, Rachel Moloi opens up to us about the highs and lows of starting a media company.
By: Fundiswa Nkwanyana
1. How did your childhood shape the woman you are today?
From an early age, I saw my mother struggling to raise her six kids while my father was there but absent in our daily lives. My father didn’t want us to go to school. My siblings and I had to share textbooks; those were the hard times that made me stronger. When I was sad as a young girl, I would listen to music and write down my feelings. That is when my love for writing and music started; now I can write scripts and songs.
2. You are a producer, director, songwriter and founder of a media company; how do you juggle all these roles?
I never feel like I am juggling them because I enjoy the work I do and grateful that I can do what I love. In fact, it makes my life very interesting as I can express my creativity in many different ways. It is great and I love it!
3. What made you start your company?
I entered the media industry many years ago, and from the onset I realised that the media industry is dominated by men while women were in secretarial positions. It also bothered me that a lot of men do not take black women seriously. With all that in mind, I started Rudijoe Media & Advertising from my bed working on my laptop. I wanted to empower women and showcase our skills.
4. The media and advertising industry is very competitive and can be very challenging for new companies like yours, what are some of the challenges you faced?
The hours are long and strenuous in this industry. I remember there were times I used to work until late at night. I used to sleep at the studio because I didn’t have a car at that time and taxis were finished. I would wake up from the studios, go home, bath, eat and go back to work like everyone else. That was challenging because I am a mother and a wife, being away from my family was really hard. It is also hard to swim with the big sharks when you are just starting off because no one takes you seriously. The TV industry still remains a challenge even though I have managed to shove my foot in the door – white male dominance still prevails. Sometimes I don’t get paid on time and I have to pay my staff with my own money.
5. Despite the challenges, you keep moving forward. What drives you to continue pushing the boundaries?
I really love what I do and enjoy every second of it. The passion I have for my job continues to propel me forward. I want to help more black women enter the media industry and flourish. I learnt on the job and it was hard. I also want to train young women so they do not have to go through the hardships that I went through. There is so much to explore in the industry and I want women like myself to be a part of it.
6. What are your future plans and goals?
When my daughter graduated, instead of looking for a job, I advised her to work with me and help grow the company. I want young women to be part of an organisation that does not undermine them because they are black. I want to grow Rudijoe Media & Advertising into a global company that moulds young women into successful game changers.
