Biography of Thandiswa Mazwai & Net Worth

Thandiswa Nyameka Mazwai (born 31 March 1976) is a South African musician, and is also the lead vocalist and songwriter of Bongo Maffin. She is also known as King Tha. In 2004, her first solo project Zabalaza album attained the double-platinum status and her album also got nominated for Planet Awards on BBC Radio 3.

Same year In 2004, she won Best Female Artist at Metro FM Awards. Her second album, titled “Ibokwe” was produced in 2009, was certified gold status within the few weeks after its release.

Early life

Thandiswa Mazwai was born in Eastern Cape in 1976 – the year of the Soweto Uprising – and grew up almost entirely in Soweto, Johannesburg, amidst the heavy apartheid township violence of the 1980s. Both her parents, Belede and Thami Mazwai, were journalists and anti-apartheid political activists, and she recollects that her home was filled with books, articles and thick with political discussions. It was this environment that nurtured her perspective as an artist. She went on to attend Wits University, where she studied English Literature and International Relations. Her work has always been inspired by her mother (who died when Thandiswa was 15 years old) and the writings of people such as Steve Biko and Frantz Fanon, Chinua Achebe, and Kwame Nkrumah.

Jack-Knife

Thandiswa was a member of Jack-Knife, with Kimon Webster and Themba Smuts. The trio was regarded as the pioneer of the kwaito movement, and their songs like “Fester” and “Chommie” were club hits.

Discography

• Belede (2016) – Universal Music Group
• Dance of the Forgotten Free (2010) – Live CD: Gallo Records
• Ibokwe (2009): Gallo Records
• Zabalaza (2004): Gallo Records

Bongo Maffin

• From Bongo With Love (2019): Universal Music Group
• New Construction (2005): Gallo Records – Gold Sales
• Bongolution (2001): Sony BMG – Double Platinum Sales
• The Concerto (1998): Sony BMG – Multi-Platinum Sales
• Final Entry (1997): EMI
• Leaders of D’Gong (1996): EMI

Net Worth