Music

An award-winning Afro-soul singer, Jininka, who last released an album in 2013, brought out a new album entitled Ni nga vha Ndilani a week ago.

“Ni nga vha Ndilani is more African combined with pop, not that different from the others because that’s my style of music,” she said. “The only difference is the improvement because I have worked even with people from overseas.”

As a young girl, she listened to Irene Mawela’s soulful sounds on cassettes with great passion and didn’t imagine then that she would one day find herself featuring the legendary Afro-soul singer on one of her projects.

A resident of Ravele village, Jeanette Nkanyane, who is popularly known as Jininka in the music industry, is very passionate about music. “I started singing in The Holy Servants Choir at Ravele village, and at five I was the youngest member,” she recalls with a smile. In 2011, she scooped up a SATMA award for Best Venda Album, with her fourth album entitled Ndi Muvenda. “In Ndi Muvenda, I was reclaiming my position in society as a disciplined woman who respects her culture; a mother and a member of a community, who is also part of the whole of society,” she says.

Jininka released her first album in the early 2000s and received attention from most parts of the country. She was a woman who was singing a fusion of reggae, Afro-jazz and Afro-soul. Her songs are laden with lyrics thatwhich reproach, encourage and motivate those who listen to her music. “Music is inside me; I was born a musician, I don't act or pretend to love music,” she speaks strongly. “I appreciate and thank God for the talent He gave me, and I promise I'll continue to use it.”

She reveals that her favourite food is makwanda (chicken feet) and mashonzha (mopani worms) with vhuswa ha mutuku (pap). Religion helped form her character. “Growing up in a Christian family helped me realise that, as a lady, I am valuable and mustn't allow anything to destroy who I am,” she says.

Her hobbies include watching movies and soccer and she also plays volleyball at work. Those interested in Jininka's music can call 083 9999 515.