By Nomsa Dlamini (Intern)
NHLANGANO – From bedroom playlists to club stages, 23-year-old DJ Zoleka Dlamini is spinning her way into Eswatini’s music scene—one electrifying set at a time.
She’s not just a DJ. She’s a vibe curator, a plus-size model, and a force redefining what it means to own your space behind the decks.
Zoleka’s journey started in the quiet town of Nhlangano, where the thumping bass lines of Gqom music first caught her ear in high school. She wasn’t a regular at parties, but a spontaneous night out in 2021 changed everything.
“I wasn’t even into groove like that,” she laughs, “but that night something clicked. I didn’t just want to dance—I wanted to control the energy.”
That epiphany pushed her straight into the world of deejaying. With a little help from her friend DJ Nutty-Soul, and serious mentoring from DJ Vasco, Zoleka began to find her rhythm.
By 2022, she was officially behind the decks—and hasn’t looked back.
Her big moment came in January last year at Solani’s Shisanyama, where she shared the stage with top female DJs and South African sensation Mawhoo. “It was unreal. I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be,” she says.
But the climb wasn’t smooth. Her first gig she shares was a disaster,” she admits. “I panicked. I didn’t know the equipment well, and 25 people felt like a stadium.”
Today, that same crowd would be dancing to her story. From Afro Tech and Gqom to Old School House, her sets are an experience. “It’s not just about beats,” she says. “It’s about making people feel something—whether they’re dancing or just vibing.”
Her sound is bold. Her presence is unapologetic.
Now, Dlamini is expanding her brand beyond music. She recently teamed up with local fashion label Teddz Urban, blending her style and sound into a powerful personal brand. She’s eyeing endorsements, festival bookings, and collaborations that will elevate her platform even more.
“The goal is to keep growing,” she says. “This is only the beginning.”
Follow Zo’leka Dlamini on Facebook for gigs, updates, and behind-the-scenes moments.
