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Sinazo was born in Mthatha, a vibrant town in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, but much of her childhood was spent in the smaller, rural town of Elliotdale, where she lived with her grandmother. Growing up in a musically inclined family, Sinazo was immersed in the world of sound from an early age. Family gatherings, especially during holidays, would transform into festive musical events. She recalls Christmas mornings, when her family would gather, the HiFi would be set up outside, and cassettes of Brenda Fassie and Thandiswa Mazwai would play on loop. This backdrop of lively family sing-alongs and vibrant music imprinted on her soul.
She describes her family as a “clash of choirs,” with each family member contributing their voice, creating a rich harmony that echoed through her grandmother’s house. Despite being too young to understand the depth of these experiences at the time, Sinazo now recognizes how those moments cultivated her love for music. From those early family gatherings, she began dreaming of making music that could serve as a soundtrack to people’s lives, just as those songs had colored her childhood memories.
Beyond her family’s influence, her primary school choir master, Mr. Zwai Mahlezana, played a pivotal role in developing her passion for music. He introduced her to the structure and discipline required to create harmony and blend voices, making music a central part of her life. However, the idea of pursuing music as a career seemed elusive. Growing up in a community where most people pursued traditional careers like teaching, nursing, and medicine, Sinazo had little exposure to professional musicians. Nonetheless, these foundational experiences nurtured her dream of singing and sharing her story through music.
Sinazo’s educational journey saw her moving between schools. She attended Vulingcobo JSS for her first two years, before moving to Chris Hani Community JPS in Mthatha. Later, she returned to Elliotdale to complete her schooling at Nyangilizwe JSS and then Dalindyebo SSS, where she graduated in 2014. Her high school years were filled with singing, as she found herself drawn to every musical opportunity available. She later pursued a degree in Social Sciences from the University of the Free State, majoring in Sociology and Criminology.
University was where Sinazo truly began to find her voice as a performer. She participated in talent shows such as Kovsies Got Talent and the Bloem Show Talent Search, exploring stages and audiences that would fuel her drive to continue singing. Although auditions for platforms like Idols did not yield immediate success, they gave her valuable experience. Her consistent commitment to music also found a home in the church and with the Student Christian Organization (SCO), where she could express her talents within a community setting.