Zonke Dikana: Biography, Age, Sisters, Children, Parents, Partner

Zonke Dikana (born 11 October 1979) is a South African singer and songwriter. She is best known for her captivating and soulful vocals on her tracks.

Table of Contents

The singer-songwriter rose to stardom for her album Ina Ethe in 2011. She performed the critically acclaimed album around the country, including at the Metro Awards. She has released tracks such as Viva The Legend, Jik’izinto, Feelings, and Say Now.

Zonke Dikana
Zonke rose to fame on the back of her multi award-winning album Ina Ethe.
Personal Details
Name:	Zonke Dikana
Born:	11 October 1979 (age 46 years old)
Place of birth:	KwaZakhele, Eastern Cape
Nationality:	South African
Education:	Human resource management
Alma mater:	University of the Free State
Occupation:	Singer, songwriter, record producer.
Years active:	1997–date
Partner:	Tumi Mokoena
Children:	2

Early Life

Zonke Dikana was born on 11 October 1979 in KwaZakhele, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Her father, Viva Dikana, was a drummer for the group Black Slave and the Flamingo, while her mother is Fundie Peter.

She grew up with three siblings, and after their parents separated, her father had another child. Her siblings are Busisiwe, Lulu, Asanda, and Naledi. She had a step-mother, Anneline Malebo, who was a member of the musical group Joy.

Growing up in Port Elizabeth, Zonke always wanted to be an artist. Her father taught her most of what she knows about music.

Education

Dikana obtained a degree in human resource management from the University of the Free State in 1997.

Career

In 2007, Zonke signed a deal with the house and kwaito label Kalawa Jazmee Records and released the album Life, Love and Music. She rose to fame in 2011 after releasing the album Ina Ethe. The work was nominated at the 18th South African Music Awards. She performed it around the country, including at the 2011 Metro Awards.

In 2013, she released Give and Take Live, which earned her a spot in the Channel O list of “Africa’s Top 10 Female Singing Sensations.

She signed a record deal with Sony Music Entertainment and released another album titled L.O.V.E. with them in 2013. She released another album, Work of Heart, in September 2015.

Aside from singing, Zonke has written hit songs for other singers, including Winnie Khumalo, Thebe, and the late TK. She has also worked with Bongo Maffin and Oskido. She released her single Tonight on Friday, 20 April 2018.

Zonke performs live. She recorded her live album Give and Take Live at a sold-out concert at the Lyric Theatre in Johannesburg in 2013. She also held another performance at the Ticketpro Dome in Johannesburg with singer Lionel Richie in March 2016.

The multi-award-winning singer has also performed at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. She paid tribute to the late Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela at her funeral..

In July 2014, she was announced as one of the judges in episode one of the X Factor SA aired on SABC 1. She has also earned several recognitions for her contribution to the South African industry.

She has won many awards, including from the South African Music Awards, Metro FM Music Awards, the Channel O Music Video Awards, and the MTV Africa Music Awards.

Aside from singing, Zonke fights against women and children abuse. She is involved in the Million Men March, a male movement against women and child abuse.

Zonke has also been working with Thuthuka Children’s Home in Alexandra, where she donates funds, clothes, and furniture. She is the founder of Leely Music record company.

Personal Life

Zonke Dikana is romantically linked to a lawyer and her manager, Tumi Mokoena. She has two children, a daughter, Milani, and a son, Noah. She lost her elder sister, Busisiwe, in May 2013, and her sister Lulu passed away after a short illness in 2014.