Zonke Dikana (born 11 October 1979), known simply as Zonke, is a South African singer-songwriter and record producer. Her rise to stardom came in 2011 following the release of her third album, '' Ina Ethe'', which was certified double platinum and was nominated at the 18th South African Music Awards. In 2013, she recorded and released '' Give and Take Live'', which was certified gold just two months after its release and earned her a place in the

Channel O Channel O is a South Africa–based music channel that started transmission in 1997. Its main concept is African music in Africa and the diaspora. Channel O can be accessed via DStv, a satellite pay TV service for pan-African households. The ch ...

list of "Africa's Top 10 Female Singing Sensations". In September 2015, Zonke released '' Work of Heart'', her fifth album, to critical acclaim with nominations in several categories at the 15th Metro FM Music Awards and 22nd South African Music Awards. She signed a record deal to

Sony Music Entertainment Sony Music Entertainment (SME), commonly known as Sony Music, is an American multinational music company owned by Japanese conglomerate Sony Group Corporation. It is the recording division of Sony Music Group, with the other half being the ...

in 2013. On 15 June 2018, she released '' L.O.V.E'', her fifth studio album, with

Sony is a Japanese multinational conglomerate (company), conglomerate headquartered at Sony City in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. The Sony Group encompasses various businesses, including Sony Corporation (electronics), Sony Semiconductor Solutions (i ...

Early life and education

Zonke was born in KwaZakhele,

Eastern Cape The Eastern Cape ( ; ) is one of the nine provinces of South Africa. Its capital is Bhisho, and its largest city is Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). Due to its climate and nineteenth-century towns, it is a common location for tourists. It is also kno ...

, South Africa. Her father, Vuyisile Dikana, was a drummer for a group called Black Slave and the Flamingo while her late stepmother Anneline Malebo was a singer for a musical band known as Joy. She is a young sister to Lulu Dikana who is also a music artist. She is an alumna of the

University of the Free State The University of the Free State (; Sotho language, Sesotho: ''Yunivesithi ya Freistata'') is a multi-campus public university in Bloemfontein, the capital of the Free State (province), Free State and the judicial capital of South Africa. It wa ...

, from where she graduated with a degree in human resource management in 1997.

Career

1996–2007: early beginnings, ''Soulitary'' and ''Life, Love 'n Music''

During Zonke's early years as a singer, Chippa introduced her to several artists, including Ringo, Joe Nina and Deborah Fraser, who she worked with either in writing or vocal capabilities. Zonke had her big break when she wrote a song titled "Africa, My Motherland" for the band Jazzkantine, based in Germany. The band later became known as Culture Clan after Zonke and the rappers Mandla and Mzo. In 2003, Culture Clan released an album titled ''Africa''. It was released in Germany, winning awards from the

and Metro FM Music Awards. During her time in Germany, Zonke's first studio album, '' Soulitary'', was released by Upper Street Records with distribution in Germany, Japan and Italy in 2004. In 2007, Kalawa Jazmee Records released her second album, '' Life, Love 'n Music''.

2008–13: ''Ina Ethe'' and ''Give and Take Live''

In June 2011, Zonke left Kalawa Jamzee for TMP Records and started to record '' Ina Ethe'', her third studio album. Preceding the album's release were two singles, "Jik'Izinto" and "

Feelings According to the '' APA Dictionary of Psychology'', a feeling is "a self-contained phenomenal experience"; feelings are "subjective, evaluative, and independent of the sensations, thoughts, or images evoking them". The term ''feeling'' is closel ...

". ''Ina Ethe'' was self-produced and was released by TMP Records to critical reviews. The album did well commercially, going double platinum. On 25 October 2013, Zonke recorded a live album at the Lyric Theatre in Goldreef City, Johannesburg, released by

as '' Give and Take Live''. The album achieved gold status within two months of its release. ''Give and Take Live'' also won two category awards at the 20th South African Music Awards.

2014–2017: ''Work of Heart''

Following the death of Zonke's older sister Lulu Dikana, Zonke started working on her fourth studio album, '' Work of Heart'', by releasing the singles " Reach It" and "Meet Me in My Dreams". In an interview with Katlego Mkhwanazi of ''The Mail & Guardian'', Zonke said that the album was inspired by everything that happened to her. The album contains 13 songs and was released on 11 September 2015 by Sony Music Entertainment. ''Work of Heart'' was nominated in the Best Female Album and Best African Pop Album categories at the 15th Metro FM Music Awards. It was also nominated in five categories at the 22nd South African Music Awards, winning one. On 14 July 2016, it was certified platinum. At 2017 South African Afro Music Awards, she was nominated for; Best Afro Female Artist, Best Adult Contemporary, Best Afro Album, Best Afro Producer and won Best Afro-soul Album award.

2018-2019: ''L.O.V.E''

Her seventh studio album, ''L.O.V.E'', was released on 15 June 15, 2018. It is a 9-track album featuring

Kwesta Senzo Mfundo Vilakazi (born 11 August 1988) known professionally as Kwesta, is a South African rapper and songwriter. Born in Katlehong, Gauteng, a township also known as "K1". In 2003, at the age of 15, he and his friends formed a rap group G ...

on a song titled "Soul to Keep". In April 2018, Zonke released the lead single "Tonight", which had platinum sales. The album was certified gold with sales of 25 000 units. ''L.O.V.E.'' was nominated for Album of the Year, Female Artist of the Year and won Best R&B/Soul Album at the 25th annually ceremony

2020-present: ''Enigma Tour'', ''Embo''

Zonke embarked on Zonke: The Evergreen In Concert on February 19 in Cape Town, Grand Arena, GrandWest; the tour included 10 dates that ran through to February 29. In October 2021, her single "Lady" was released as album's lead single. On April 22, 2022, she announced that her upcoming album ''Enigma'', has done recording it, scheduled to be release on May 27. In April 26, she teased an art cover of her second single "Oko", via her Facebook. The song was released on April 29, 2022. It debuted number one in South Africa. Her studio album ''Embo'', was released on 3 November 2023. To further promote the album Zonke announced 3 dates national tour commerced on April 29 at the Grand Arena, Cape Town.

Tours and notable performances

On 5 July 2013, Zonke performed and recorded her live album ''Give and Take Live'' at a sold-out concert at the Lyric Theatre in Johannesburg after it was postponed following the death of her sister Busisiwe Dikana. On 20 March 2016, Zonke performed at the Ticketpro Dome in Johannesburg alongside American soul singer

Lionel Richie Lionel Brockman Richie Jr. (born June 20, 1949) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and television personality. He rose to fame in the 1970s as a songwriter and the co-lead singer of the Motown group Commodores; writing and recor ...

, who was touring South Africa as part of his "All The Hits All Night Long" tour.

Artistry

Zonke Dikana is a versatile singer who sings in English and

Xhosa Xhosa may refer to: * Xhosa people, a nation, and ethnic group, who live in south-central and southeasterly region of South Africa * Xhosa language, one of the 11 official languages of South Africa, principally spoken by the Xhosa people See als ...

language. During her time as a Kalawa Jazmee Records artist, her genre of music was mostly

house music House is a genre of electronic dance music characterized by a repetitive Four on the floor (music), four-on-the-floor beat and a typical tempo of 115–130 beats per minute. It was created by DJs and music producers from Chicago's underground ...

before she switched to afrosoul and

neo soul Neo soul (sometimes called progressive soul) is a genre of popular music. As a term, it was coined by music industry entrepreneur Kedar Massenburg during the late 1990s to market and describe a style of music that emerged from Soul music, soul ...

on signing to TMP Entertainment. Her musical influences include Busi Mhlongo,

Miriam Makeba Zenzile Miriam Makeba ( , ; 4 March 1932 – 9 November 2008), nicknamed Mama Africa, was a South African singer, songwriter, actress, and civil rights activist. Associated with musical genres including African popular music, Afropop, ja ...

and

Brenda Fassie Brenda Nokuzola Fassie (3 November 1964 – 9 May 2004) was a South African singer, songwriter, dancer and activist. Affectionately called MaBrrr by her fans, she is also known as the "Queen of African Pop" or the "Madonna of The Townships." Fas ...

Discography

Live album

Studio albums

Singles

As lead artist

Television appearance

In July 2014, Zonke was announced as one of three celebrities to act as judges in the first episode of the ''X Factor SA'' which was broadcast on

SABC 1 SABC 1 is a South African public television network operated by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). It broadcasts programming in English and Nguni languages. SABC 1 was established in 1996 following the SABC's restructuring of it ...

between September and December 2014.
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Awards and nominations

Zonke's contribution to the South African music industry has earned her several awards and nominations in music award events including the

South African Music Awards The South African Music Awards (often simply the SAMAs) are the Recording Industry of South Africa's music industry awards, established in 1995. The ceremony is held annually, usually in late April or May, with the judging process starting in ...

, Metro FM Music Awards, the

Channel O Music Video Awards Channel O Africa Music Video Awards, once known as Spirit of Africa Music Video Awards, are Pan-African music awards organised by South Africa -based Channel O television channel. The awards were first held in 2003 under the name Reel Music Video A ...

and MTV Africa Music Awards.

References

External links

* * * {{Authority control South African pop singers South African women pop singers South African record producers South African women record producers 1979 births Living people South African singer-songwriters Musicians from the Eastern Cape University of the Free State alumni 21st-century South African women singers English-language singers from South Africa Xhosa-language singers of South Africa Xhosa people