Thandiswa Mazwai

Thandiswa Nyameka Mazwai (born 31 March 1976) is a South African musician, and was also the lead vocalist and songwriter of the group Bongo Maffin. She is also known as King Tha.

Her debut album, Zabalaza (released in 2004), attained double platinum status and was nominated for Planet Awards on BBC Radio 3. Also in 2004, she won Best Female Artist at the Metro FM Music Awards.

Her sophomoric release Ibokwe (2009), explored African spirituality, reached gold status within a few weeks of its release and received widespread critical acclaim. Her third solo studio album Belede (2016) is a collection of reinterpretations of legendary South African Jazz and protest anthems from the 1950s and 1960s. Thandiswa’s selection is inspired by the music she listened to whilst growing up and her reframing of these classics serves as commentary on South Africa’s contemporary political landscape.

Her last album Sankofa (2024) was recorded in Johannesburg, Dakar, and New York, and combines archival Xhosa field recordings, jazz and west African music. It includes songs produced by Meshell Ndegeocello, Chris Bruce, Nduduzo Makhathini, and Thandiswa. It was released to critical acclaim and won four South African Music Awards.