The much-awaited thrilling, fifth album of the prolific 2011 South African Traditional Music Award (SATMA) winner, Jininka, hit music store shelves last week. “This is the best musical Christmas gift to all my supporters and I have no doubt that they will enjoy it like they did with my previous offerings,” she said jubilantly, shortly after launching the album in Thohoyandou last week.

Real name Jeanette Nkanyane, the singer combined her name and surname to come up with a different stage name and trademark. She hails from the dusty village of Ha-Ravele, outside Louis Trichadt.

The Venda Afro Pop album, titled Ndi Lwendoni (I’m on journey) comprises ten songs which will automatically force music lovers to put their dancing shoes on. These are Zwothe zwine nda toda, Mukegulu vha ya lila, Mazwifhi anu, Muzika, Thuba Mutakalo, O mu vhalaya a di vhulaya, Khethani, Zwi do vuya zwa luga, Tshinoni tsha Nkuku, Mubebi wa munwe ndi wau, Venda, Vhutshilo ndi lwendo and A zwo ngo leluwa.

On the album, she also collaborated with seasoned musicians like Elijar Mulaudzi, Humbulani Ramagwedzha, Herman Fox Manganyi, Ntando Mnguni, Ernest Mashell and Dark Tailor. Ndi Lwendoni was recorded and engineered by DJ Davic at Masana Recording studio.

Jininka says she has already started promoting the new album to make sure that it reaches every corner of the country. “I have several shows lined up for the festive season and it is going to be a massive rollout of live performances.”

Since her fourth album, Ndi Muvenda, won the SATMA, Jininka’s music has gone to another level and she is undoubtedly one of the best Afro Pop artists Limpopo has ever produced. Many have tried to copy her beautiful, sweet and soothing voice but failed because she is so unique and differently gifted. Music lovers were recently treated to a royal feast when Jininka featured Venda traditional music legend Irene Mawela on the song Zwa Vhuhadzi.

It has been a long and winding road for Jininka to be where she is today. She explains: “I was born at Ha-Ravele village outside Louis Trichardt. I started my music career in 1992 at the age of 10 in a church choir, but at that time my talent was not yet recognized. In 1993, I joined a community choir called The Holy Servants Choir and we used to perform at funerals, parties, weddings and community gatherings.”

In 2004, Jininka moved to Gauteng in search of greener pastures. That was were she started working with her cousin, Humbulani Ramagwedzha, as a backing vocalist. She was then introduced to Masana Records, where she recorded her first Afro Pop album, Love Life, in 2005.

In 2007, Jininka worked with Mukosi Netshiheni on her second album. This time, it was a reggae offering called Nne Na Inwi (You and I). The album was nominated for the SATMA in the best female and best newcomer categories, but it did not make it to the finals. “The fact that I was nominated was a fulfillment to me and it encouraged me to work hard,” she said.

She released her third Afro Pop album, Ni Wanga (You are mine), in 2009, which was again nominated for the SATMA in the best female category. She said of her fifth album: “I’m making some touch-ups and my fans should expect the same good quality as my previous albums. Some of the songs that my fans will enjoy include Mutakalo and Muzika. I’m definitely ready and plan to launch it in due course.”