Female reggae artists perform very well

Female artists from Vhembe are continuing to claim the top ranks in the reggae music industry. Among them is Jeanette Nkanyane from Ha-Ravele village outside Louis Trichardt, better known as Jininka.

Music lovers were mesmerised when radio stations played her latest song, Ni do farwa, for the first time last week.

Jininka is not a novice in the South African music industry. She has six successful albums under her belt. Her music career took off as member of the church choir in 1992, at the age of 10. When she was 11 years old, she joined a community choir called The Holly Servants Choir, who performed at funerals, parties, weddings, and other community social gatherings.

Her debut Afro-Pop album, Love Life, with the hit song Ni tambe zwavhudi, was released in 2005, followed by her reggae album, Nne ne inwi, in 2007. Ni wanga (third album) was released in 2009, Ndi Muvenda in 2011, Ndi lwendoni in 2013, and Ni nga vha ndilani in 2015.

“Although I’m working on a full-length album that will be released soon, I decided to pick one song to rouse reggae lovers’ interest,” she said. “I also wanted to test the waters so long and see how my fans would react to it. But the feedback was so positive that I am now compelled to put extra effort in to finish the album on time. I never thought that the song would get so much airplay, which simply proves that it is good enough to compete among the best in this tough music industry.”

She had previously worked with big names such as Dr Irene Mawela, DJ Da Vic, Humbulani Ramagwedzha, Radical Dread, Steve Netshishivhe, Gavin Steingo, Dupa and Tycoon 4 Sho. Some of her previous albums were produced by prolific producers such as Mukosi Netshiheni, Herman Fox Manganyi and DJ Da Vic. She was nominated for the South African Traditional Music Awards in 2007 and 2009 and ultimately became the overall winner in the 2015 Best Female Vocalist category.

Ni do farwa features her cousin and well-known reggae star Humbulani Ramagwedzha, and refers to gender-based violence, encouraging men to love women and treat them with affection.

Entertainment - Date: 23 September 2021

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