FirstStep.co.za recently got the chance to sit down with Zonke, South Africa's coolest "Afro-Soul" Singer. Here's what she had to say about a wide range of topics including her CD; "Life, Love and Music"
 
Age: 28
 
Place of birth: Port Elizabeth

Education: University of Bloemfontein, Human Resources Management
 
Current location: Fourways, Joburg
 
Wheels: Golf 5 TDI – it’s a good and reliable car.
 
Bedside table read: Decolonizing the Mind (James Curry Ltd) by Ngugi wa Thiongo.
 
First album: A pop/rock group called Roxette. I can’t remember how old I was, I just loved the single It Must Have Been Love, which was the soundtrack for the movie Pretty Woman.
 
Best gift ever received? A guitar that my producer York Rump gave me.
 
All time favourite artist: Brenda Fassie
 
Playing on my CD shuttle: Anthony Hamilton, Amy Winehouse and my German solo album Soulitary.
 
Favourite escape: I cook, shop, spend time with my family… you know, just hang out with my sisters.
 
Favourite holiday: Milan is absolutely amazing!
 
Favourite food: Umphokoqo.
 
Can't live without? Love
 
Where does your love for music come from?
 
I come from a very talented family – music, fine art, writing stories. My father Vuyisile Dikana is a drummer, but he can play all the other musical instruments. He also featured on one of Simply Red’s albums. My mother Fundie Peter was a medical technologist/ writer, and my eldest sister Siwe is a regulatory reporting and compliance specialist for a financial Institution, while my other sister Lulu is in musical theatre – she performed in Barnyard’s Hot Chocolate and also Nathaniel’s Hong Kong Kiss. My younger sister Asanda is in her 3rd year doing a Bcom degree.
 
When and how did your music career begin?
 
I came to Joburg in 1996 to live with my father, with the hope of studying music at Wits University, but because musicians were regulars at our house, and with my step-mother Anneline Malebo’s encouragement, I ended up doing backings and studio session work, so studying took a back seat.  
 
You seem to have burst into the SA music scene very recently, but that is not the case is it?
 
No, I’ve been behind the scenes writing and working with a few well-known artists like T.K, Thebe, Mafikizolo and house guru Franck Roger. I started writing songs at a very young age – I think I was in primary school, but I only took the craft seriously when I started doing music professionally.
 
You released an album in Germany. How did that come about?
 
Even though I wasn’t doing backings for long, I soon got tired of it. I just didn’t see myself not being in the forefront. That’s when I stumbled across a German band called JazzKantine in 1998, and Culture Clan was formed. Soulitary (my international debut album) was so well received overseas. As a result we were performing a lot in Europe – it was so amazing!  
 
Why did you come back to SA when you had a well-established career overseas?
 
It didn’t feel right being overseas making it when back home nobody had a clue who I was. It was important for me to make my way back home. After all, that’s where my heart has always been.
 
Tell us about the journey to Life, Love and Music.
 
It was long and tiring, but at the same time exciting. In the album, I talk about all the things that are important to me… my life, love and my music. I had moments where it felt like maybe it wasn’t meant to be. In the middle of this wonderful journey, terrible things started happening – like my mother’s passing and my producer getting involved in a car accident. You can imagine what that does to one’s spirit. Thank God it all went well and the album was finally released.
 
What has been the reaction to your music here?
 
The reaction was surprisingly good. A lot of people tell me my sound is unique, and I like the fact that they do not compare me to anyone else and seem to understand that I’m not trying to be anyone else but Zonke.
 
How does your daughter react to having a famous mother?
 
I don’t think she really understands what the fuss is all about. Just the other day she came to me and asked, “Mommy, are you famous?” I asked why, and she told me that the kids at school say so.  
 
In an interview, Penny Lebyane said that she saw an India Arie moment at the SAMA awards with you. Do you feel that you are underrated and passed over for awards?
 
All I can say is that my time will come, and when it does everyone will know.