From modelling stages to music platforms, Nigel resident Anuscha Marais has embraced every chapter of her journey in the entertainment world, ultimately finding her voice in songwriting and self-produced music
Anuscha, who was born in Nigel, first stepped into the world of modelling at 11 years old.

In 2002, she was selected as a finalist for Miss Pre-Teen South Africa at Sun City, competing against 77 other participants.

Anuscha excelled in modelling and went on to graduate with a certificate in photographic modelling and ramp techniques.

She later became a top model at Star Light Models in George in the Western Cape, where she lived with her parents at the time.

In 2009, she received her professional photographic modelling portfolio. After matriculating, Anuscha pursued a career as a professional flight attendant, studying at EPT Aviation and achieving an impressive final exam pass rate of 96.1%.

That same year, however, the entertainment bug took hold of her.

She began participating in singing competitions such as Idols South Africa Season 6, Bay City Idols, Klipdrift Idols, and Die Kontak 2.

Determined to make her mark in the music industry, Anuscha recorded her first demo cover of Nadine’s Kaapse Draai in 2012 at ProTrax Music Distributors in Pretoria.

She went on to perform alongside local singers such as Maggie May (country singer), Giovanni (Supersterre finalist) and Andrew Davis (East Rand Idols 2009 winner).

Anuscha is registered with the Southern African Music Rights Organisation as a professional singer and songwriter.

Over the past 12 years, she has been writing her own songs with the help of her mom, Moniem Marais. She recently started recording and producing them herself.

Anuscha has created hundreds of AI-generated songs, available on platforms such as Spotify and YouTube, and already has over 700 monthly listeners on Spotify.

Her music spans different audiences, with Afrikaans and English songs across various genres and themes, including dance and Christian music.

Anuscha explained that she releases these songs in the hope that other artists will reach out to her for songwriting opportunities, allowing her to write songs for them.

She shared that her songs are deeply personal, each telling the story of the past 12 years of her life.

Initially unfamiliar with AI, Anuscha discovered a programme while searching for a way to add music to her lyrics, one that records her voice and captures her words.

A recent personal challenge, where she underwent breast surgery after a long health struggle, reignited her passion for writing and singing.

Inspired by her experience, she wrote a song about breast cancer. Her popular song Jesus Dra My Kruis has been performed and played in church numerous times.

Anuscha is also a Sunday school teacher and a deacon at Nigel Kerk NG-Suid. She believes strongly in helping others

“If ever you need a helping hand, you will find them at the end of each of your arms, one is for helping yourself and the other is for helping others,” she said.

A married mom of two, Anuscha shares her life with her husband, Marius Visser.

The couple has been together for 12 years, married for six, and are raising their sons, Christiaan (8) and Marnus (6) Visser.

Anuscha’s album can be ordered by contacting Moniem on 071 672 7599 or via email at moniemmarais@gmail.com