DJ Zinhle, born Ntombezinhle Jiyane, is the South African Disc Jockey, actress and television personality. She is perhaps best known for her work on SABC 1’s dance show Jika Majika as well as her hit song “My Name Is” featuring Busiswa.
| Born | Ntombezinhle Jiyane |
| December 30, 1983 | |
| Dannhauser | |
| KwaZulu-Natal | |
| South Africa | |
| Education | Johannesburg University |
| Occupation | DJ, Actress, Radio DJ |
| Businesswoman | |
| Since | 2004 – to date |
| Agent | Unknown |
| Website | djzinhle.com |
Dj Zinhle was born Ntombezinhle Jiyane in Dannhauser in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa.
She has two known siblings; her brother Zak, whom she credits for her early djing lessons and the subsequent break through.
She also have a sister, Gugu Jiyane, with whom she shared Umemulo.
Umemulo is a right of passage ceremony for females in a Zulu culture.
Dj Zinhle went to Siyamukela High School in Emadadeni, Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal.
She moved to Johannesburg where she enrolled at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) to study a National Diploma in Marketing.
After she completed her National Diploma at the University of Johannesburg she worked as an intern for a make up company.
DJ Zinhle’s early pursuit of a career in the music industry was on part time basis.
During this period, her marketing career progressed to a point where she became a brand manager at South African Breweries (SAB).
Music Career
Zinhle Jiyane got her first taste of the turn tables through her brother Zak who owned the sound equipment which he rented out to event organizers.
She got her first job as a DJ when she accompanied her brother Zak to an event at which the scheduled DJ failed to show up on time, Zinhle had to step up and fill in.
In 2004 DJ Zinhle turned her djing into a career, at the time using vinyl record to do her mixes – a favorite still among some disc jockeys.
Since bursting into the South African music scene in 2004, DJ Zinhle has played at the Miami Music Conference, the Southern African Music Conference, the Durban July, the South African Fashion Week, the Mbombela Stadium Launch and the MTV Birthday Party among other events.
In 2006 she joined Thembi Seete of Boom Shaka fame, Mpendulo Buthelezi and Casey B. Dolan on SABC 1’s then new show, Jika Majika, as the resident DJ.
In 2009 DJ Zinhle released a compilation album titled Feminine Touch under the Oskido headed Kalawa Jazmee Records.
In 2012 she released a hit single featuring Busiswa Gqulu, a poet turned musician, “My Name Is”.
Television
In 2006 DJ Zinhle joined then newly commissioned SABC 1 dance competition reality Jika Majika as a resident DJ, she remained on the show until it’s tenth and final season in 2012.
She had a cameo appearance on e.tv’s hit sopie, Rhythm City. In 2011 DJ Zinhle joined the likes of Poppy Ntshongwane, Phila Mazibuko and Tracy McGregor among other on the fourth season of the then e.tv flighted Tropika Island of Treasure which took place in Cancun, Mexico.
In 2011 DJ Zinhle portrayed “Thuli” on e.tv’s anthology series, Ekasi:Our Stories in an episode titled Imfihlo, The Secret.
In 2012 she was the subject of an episode of the SABC 1 flighted Brand South Africa’s Mmabatho Montsho and Katleho Sinivasan hosted Play Your Part.
In 2013 DJ Zinhle performed at the 19th annual South African Music Awards (SAMAs) alongside the likes of Lira, Toya Delazy and Kabomo.
In 2014 she was the subject of the episode of the fourth season of Nicky Greenwall’s The Close Up.
Radio
DJ Zinhle had a slot on YFM as a mix DJ on Fridays and Saturdays for half an hour from 200:30 to 23:00. She was later invited by Oskido to join his Metro FM show, Oskido’s Church.
Fuse Academy
In February 2009 DJ Zinhle founded The Firm Understanding of Sound Entertainment Academy (FUSE) with Nomndeni Mdaki. FUSE Academy is the school of djing for females, the school is based in Newtown, Johannesburg in the Gauteng province of South Africa.
Era by Dj Zinhle and other fashion endeavors
DJ Zinhle founded a wristwear brand, Era by Dj Zinhle. The line is distributed by Legit and online through djzinhle.com. She also partnered with Legit clothing shop to create her own fashion range, her relationship with Legit dates back to 2008 when the shop launched Bonang Matheba‘s fashion line – at the time she was djing for Legit.
| |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2006 – 2012 | Jika Majika | Herself | Resident DJ |
| Unknown | Rhythm City | Faniswa | Guest Appearance |
| 2011 | Club Culture | Herself | Insert presenter |
| 2011 | Ekasi: Our Stories | Thuli | Lead Role |
| 2011 | Tropika Island of Treasure | Herself | Reality Show |
| 2012 | Turn It Out 2 | Herself | Guest Judge |
| 2012 | Play Your Part | Herself | Subject |
Personal Life
DJ Zinhle was long speculated to be in a relationship with South African rapper AKA (Kiernan Forbes), a speculation that they both never out right denied but successfully evaded.As of 2014 it is understood that the relationship existed, this is after DJ Zinhle discussed it on the episode of The Close Up.
However; as of January 2015, there are renewed reports that the relationship still exist. The Times of South Africa reported that DJ Zinhle had gone on holiday to Mauritius with boyfriend AKA.
The Times was reporting on the unhappiness of AKA in the wake of bad weather due to cyclone Bansi, “What I thought would be a week of blue skies and sunshine has left me feeling like I’ve wasted a small fortune. Since I’ve arrived it’s been nothing but wind, clouds and rain.
“I decide to take a break and this is what happens. Feeling quite down about this whole episode because I know I won’t be able to go on holiday for another year at least,” AKA was quoted.
On February 4, 2015 The Times and other South African publications reported that the pair was expecting their first child.
“They have been dating for three years and whilst they’ve kept their relationship under wraps, several magazines including Heat and Drum are reporting that Zinhle is about four months pregnant. AKA and Zinhle declined to comment on their expected bundle of joy, but are said to have begun telling friends”, The Times article read.
On July 08, 2015 DJ Zinhle revealed through her blog that she was due within 24 hours, the Sunday World website reported, “Dear Baby K, your lease has expired and this is your final notice to vacate the womb within the next 24 hours … It is not a requirement that you leave the residence in the condition in which you found it … LOL !!!,” DJ Zinhle reportedly wrote on her blog.
“It’s the day before the birth of our precious buddle [sic] of joy and I have literally spent the last month, packing for this day. I don’t think one can ever be fully prepared for an occasion like this. I’m a big planner and I want things to run according to plan but I have just realized that I will not be fully in control of the events taking place tomorrow,” DJ Zinhle as quoted by the Sunday World website.
However, it is understood that on the same day (July 08, 2015) DJ Zinhle gave birth to a reportedly healthy baby girl and they named her Kairo Owethu Forbes, “We are proud to announce the arrival of our baby girl KAIRO OWETHU FORBES … She’s is healthy and the mother is feeling well. Thank You to all the doctors and nurses at Sandton Medi Clinic and all the friends and family for their well wishes. Blessed,” DJ Zinhle’s boyfriend, AKA, wrote on Instagram.
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