While growing up in a home that also operated as a tavern, a 24-year-old Mdantsane gqom sensation used it as a platform to showcase her dancing skills.
Now, Zintle Kwaaiman, who has shared the stage with national artists including Babes Wodumo, is receiving massive airplay on local and national radio stations for her hit song Mbizeni Uyabaleka.
The singer’s latest single landed itself on Metro FM’s coveted top 40 South African hits countdown.
“Dancing has always been my passion. I cannot remember a time when I was not dancing. It is what I live.
“However, an encounter at an event I was doing promotions for led me to try my hand at singing, and I have not looked back since,” Kwaaiman said.
Since the release of her single, Kwaaiman has toured the country performing on various stages, such as the Metro FM Heatwave, Cruel Summer, BCM Carnival and the AKA Tour, among others.
“I used to dance for people at home and the local Coca-Cola road shows that were hosted around BCM were my claim to fame,” she said.
“People began to recognise me as the energetic girl who would use any stage opportunity to dance.”
She recalled the first time she was recognised by a national performer.
“I was working as a promo girl at an event and hosting a VIP table that had Babes Wodumo.
“She went on stage and after her set she said, ‘where is Zintle Kwaaiman. Zintle please come on stage’. I was so shocked that she even knew who I was.
“That moment was so nerve- wracking for me. We danced together and she was so impressed by my performance.”
Kwaaiman said that moment with Babes Wodumo on stage set the ball rolling for her singing career.
“The next day after that performance I received a call from one of the DJs at the event, who asked if I could sing.
“That moment then propelled the four singles that I have today.”
The gqom singer and dancer’s repertoire includes singles; Sthand’ubumnandi featuring MaOza and produced by DJ Kwaal, both from Mdantsane, Abantu Bethu, Ingenile and the DJ Ligwa Blaqvision produced smash hit, Mbizeni Uyabaleka.
“I would love to release an album or an EP one day, but I still need to strengthen my fanbase to assure that my release will go gold immediately.
“I am so grateful to my Eastern Cape people because they have supported me throughout,” said Kwaaiman.
She said she was still finding her niche in the entertainment world.
“I am still young in the business, getting gigs around the country has helped me so much, but I do know I still need to strengthen myself and build a connection with fans outside of the province,” said Kwaaiman, who said she also did not plan to put all her eggs in one basket.
“The passion will always remain for music and dance, but I need to earn extra money.
“Music careers can end at any given time, so I know that I need to sustain myself outside of the music spectrum.”..