Zanda Zakuza, 24, is the vocalist behind the house hit track uMvulo.

I was born in Durban, and attended Pinetown Girls High School, where I auditioned for a World Cup-themed musical in grade 11 and discovered my talent. My musical influences were mainly John Legend and Natalie Cole. I picked up my songwriting skills from John and listened to a lot of jazz because that’s what my mom played. I studied Jazz for two years at the University of KZN but didn’t finish. I thought I had a better shot if I just tried it rather than studying how to be a singer. I completed a HR and Business management qualification. My musical break came by chance when DJ Mdix heard something I had done previously. He contacted me via Facebook and we did uMvulo in 2016. It became much bigger than I anticipated and people reached out to me after that song. Open Mic Productions signed me in 2017 and I recorded my debut single, Hamba.I then did the hit single Yonkinto with Prince Kaybee. Synthia – The Journey is the title of my album, inspired by my mother. For now, I’m mainly an Afro-House vocalist.