Career of note despite odds
FROM a lowly assistant with no qualifications or work experience to being at the helm of Africa’s number one independent music publishing house, a Johannesburg mother of two has proven that passion, perseverance and hard work are ingredients that can make any dream come true.
Rehana Pillay, 36, the director in the royalties department of Randburg-based Sheer Publishing, leads a large group of music writers and composers.
She has been with the company for 15 of its 21 years and said the road was not always easy.
The Pietermaritzburg resident, who relocated to the City of Gold to find work, said: “My first job was telemarketing, selling switchboards, which I hopelessly failed at. I then did administrative work at a car dealership for a month and then went for several interviews and in one day, got three callbacks.”
The first, in Johannesburg central, was for a receptionist position. The second was in admin in Edenvale and the third was at Sheer Publishing where she would have to fax royalty statements to songwriters.
“Sheer Publishing was situated in Kramerville and was the furthest of the three jobs. I had to take a taxi into town, walk from Main Street to Noord Street taxi rank and take another taxi to Kramerville.
“The job was a three-month temp assignment and there was no indication if I would continue thereafter. So I prayed and had a sense that God was saying, ‘take this one’.”
She started work at the company in February 2002.
From faxing royalty statements, she went on to learn how to load songs on to the international Music Maestro system and gained better insight into the business and industry.
The founding partner and managing director, David Alexander, was impressed with her capabilities and work ethos and offered her a permanent position.
Pillay studied copyright law, business management and bookkeeping and thereafter worked in the royalty department, becoming the royalty manager.
With this title, she had to ensure that fees were paid to composers, publishers and record labels for the use of their music on platforms including stage, radio and television.
In 2012, she became a shareholder and was later given a directorship.
“I have always strived to be the best. I remember my dad’s words: ‘Never say you can’t do something. You can do anything if you put your mind to it. Never Give Up’.
“I have taken advantage of every opportunity thrown my way. When I started at Sheer, I had no experience, no tertiary education. David Alexander offered to pay for my studies and that’s when I grabbed that opportunity with both hands.
“I tried to learn something new every day in the office environment and made a lot of mistakes and got shouted at. But all for my benefit. Each mistake taught me something new – to grow to the next level.
“On my 10th anniversary at the company, David offered me shares and a few months later, I was pulled on board as a director. I have been going strong and enjoy every bit of it. Not only am I the royalty manager, I also handle the human resources and day to day running of the business.”
When people look at her, Pillay said she wanted them to see a woman, who has been through life, learning from every situation and striving to make the best of every opportunity.
She said there were times when she was undermined but she refused to let it deter her.
“The music industry is a tough one, but you need to stay focused, look ahead, stand strong and be ready with anything and everything that comes your way. Whatever the circumstances, do the right thing.”
Pillay said she owed the world to her doting husband, Darryl.
“He has helped me through every journey and has encouraged me, supported me and has always been my cheerleader. He has been an excellent father to our kids and inspires me to be a better person.”
With a clientele that includes composers and writers, such as Busi Mhlongo, Cassper Nyovest, Moses Molelekwa, Ricky Rick and Zahara, Pillay has become a dynamic influencer in the sector.
She plans on studying next year to grow the business.
Sheer Publishing has had music placements in films, including District 9, Tsotsi and Searching for Sugarman and on television shows such as Private Practice, Jacob’s Cross and Isibaya.