A former South Africa Pop Idol contestant, Zamajobe Sithole (20), will share the stage with stars such as Alicia Keys and Mariah Carey at the MTV Europe Music Awards which will be held in Portugal next month. She has been nominated in a new category, Best African Act.
She has been very busy since finishing in the top 10 of the talent show in 2003. Zama was nominated for 3 awards including Best Newcomer, Best Jazz Vocal Album and Best Joint Composition in the 2005 South African Music Awards. Last November she released her album, Ndawo yami (my place), a blend of jazz, blues, soul and gospel. Most of the songs were written by her. It has sold more than 25,000 copies and is heading for platinum status.
Born in Frankfort in February 1985 and raised in Vosloorus, Zama started singing professionally at the age of nine with Pastor Benjamin Dube and featured on several of his recordings. She started playing guitar at 17. She also spent a year doing Latin American dancing professionally. The active teenager also did modelling and won titles such as Miss Vosloorus and Top 10 finalist for Miss Gauteng and whilst in primary school she was named the first ever Miss Colin Mann Primary.
