Robyn-Beth Cloete, who performs under the name Bethe, has lived in Plumstead since May 2023. She says the community has helped her develop her identity as an artist.

Her new single, “Amy”, was written when she was a teenager, but remained unreleased for years.

“I wrote ‘Amy’ as a teenager when I was struggling to wake up every day,” she said. “I never found the right time to release it before now, but I feel ready to show it to the world.”

A name with history

The song’s name dates back to her high school band, Finding Amy. Bethe had intended to write the song for the band, but the group broke up before she could finish it.

Years later, she returned to the unfinished song. She kept the name Amy but gave it a new meaning. For Bethe, the song has become a way to explore mental health, identity and self-compassion.

Breaking the silence

She was diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum as an adult. She grew up in a family where mental health issues were not widely understood.

“I struggled a lot on my own before being able to seek mental healthcare and a diagnosis as an adult,” she said.

Her experiences led her to talk to other people, particularly people of colour, about their mental health challenges.

“It made me realise that in our communities, mental health issues are unaddressed,” she said. “This leads to a lot of generational traumas that many of us are dealing with silently.”

Bethe believes art can help open conversations that people may otherwise struggle to have.

“I think making art like this helps to open up the conversation and begin healing,” she said.

Finding a home in Plumstead

Although she did not grow up in the area, Plumstead reminds her of the community she knew in Midrand, Johannesburg.

She describes her neighbourhood as integrated and full of activity. Children play outside, and the everyday sounds of apartment-block life fill her surroundings.

Her neighbours have even encouraged her to open her windows when she practises singing so they can hear her better.

A local market gave her an opportunity to perform there once a month. Community members have supported her by tipping her at performances.

“I wouldn’t have been able to discover my artistic identity as deeply without the community giving the time, space and patience to do so,” she said.

A new stage

Bethe is one of eight artists selected for the 2026 Beyond Busking Programme. It is presented by Western Cape Arts Festivals in partnership with the Ariva Arts Foundation.

The programme offers professional development in songwriting, musicianship, vocal development and live performance. It also covers music business and studio recording.

For Bethe, it has provided access to resources and connections that previously seemed out of reach.

“I’ve been singing longer than I’ve done anything else, and it always seemed like an uphill battle,” she said. “Beyond Busking made my big dreams feel like they could actually come true.”

Recording “Amy” professionally for the first time was another milestone.

“It meant that I’m a real artist. I feel like I’m blossoming and that things are actually happening,” she said. “Before this, I felt like I was just hustling and hustling and not getting anywhere.”

A growing career

The 27-year-old has performed at the Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Amphitheatre and the Canal Walk Mainstage. She has also performed at Comic Con Africa.

She reached the Top 4 of the 2026 KFM Galaxy KDay Competition. Her debut single, “Enemy”, was released in August last year.

She will perform alongside the other Beyond Busking artists at Beyond Busking Live: The Next Stage. The show takes place at The Loft in Hout Bay on Sunday 27 September.

“Amy” will be officially released on 30 October.

A message to young listeners

For Bethe, the song is about more than establishing herself in the music industry. She hopes young listeners will feel encouraged to embrace the parts of themselves that make them different.

“I am proudly a grown-up weird kid,” she said. “You don’t have to look like everyone else or sound like everyone else in order to have value. Don’t be afraid to have hard conversations.

“The world needs more people to try to be themselves.”