New Afro House sensation Okwanda wants to follow in the footsteps of her boss and own her own recording label.
Real name Nokwanda Zulu (21) from Madwaleni in Nquthu in the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), Okwanda is grateful to be born and bred in the area which is rich with legendary maskandi artists.
Okwanda who is very proud of being a rural girl from Madwaleni in Nquthu but who is now based in Moddernfontein in Johannesburg.
She said that working with both Musiholiq and Sir Trill was a dream come true for her and her latest single titled Confession will prove her arrival in the music industry.
Okwanda and Sir Trill team up in early November and released a song called Phatha Phatha.
“It was very exciting and working with them was a dream come true. Sir Trill is one of the people who motivated me to become another top artist in the country while Musiholiq is very passionate in what he does an treats me like his younger sister. I’m grateful that I approached him and he has given me the opportunity to live my dream,” she said.
Okwanda who grew up under the guardianship of both her parents said that she always knew that one day she will make it as a musician.
“I was brought up with respect and humility. My father and mother made sure that they preach respect and that that education comes first. My family is everything to me, they supported me from day one. I’m still blessed that I still have all my both mother and father my relatives,” she said.
Okwanda said that on Friday she will release another single titled Confession under First Class Entertainment which is owned by Inkabi Records artist MusiholiQ.
“I’m not here to compete with anyone. The cake is big for all us to feed into it. We just have to give each other a chance to do what we do best which is singing. I’m very proud of being born and bred in Nquthu because everything that I know today I learnt it back at home. I started writing and singing at a young age. When I turned 15, I realized that I have to stop writing and singing in English.
“This is when I decided that I use my mother tongue. It is working big time for me and people love my music. I’m over the moon. I found a family value and respect my background and I’m what I am today because of thw teachings from Nquthu. Confessionis a song about two people who are friends and one of them want to confess their feelings towards the other. It’s just motivating other to speak up if they have feelings for their friends,” she said.
Okwanda wants to also pursue a career as the Mechanical Engineer in 2026 while owning the stage.