Dubbed the “Princess of Africa”,Chaka Chaka has been at the forefront of South African popular music for 20 years and has been popular in Zimbabwe, Kenya, Gabon, Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast. Popular Songs like “thank you mister dj”, “I Cry for Freedom”, and the ever- popular ” Umqombothi” (“African Beer”) have** cemented her presence on african music.
Born in Soweto, in 1965, She became the second Black child to appear on South African television. Chaka Chaka started singing at 19 in 1985, when Phil Hollis of Dephon Records discovered her in Johannesburg.
Chaka Chaka had it tough growing up. Her father died when she was 11 and her mother, a domestic worker, brought up three daughters on her meagre 40 Rand a month salary.
She has two diplomas from the University of South Africa, one in adult education, another in local government, management and administration.
She served as an Honorary Colonel in the South African Air Force.
She is married to Tiny Mhinga.
During her singing career she has met prominent people like Nelson Mandela, Queen Elizabeth and Oprah Winfrey.
How Well Do You Know Yvonne Chaka Chaka (Musician, South Africa)?
By Duchess Magazine
