DJ Zinhle grew up in KwaZulu-Natal’s Dannhauser area. Her full name is Ntombezinhle Jiyane. Zinhle’s father gave her the name and it means “beautiful girls”. Zinhle has a brother named Zak and a sister named Gugu. She is very close to her mother, Jabu Jiyane, and often visits her. She recently wished her sister a happy birthday and fans were surprised by how much the look alike.

 

 

 

 

 
The story behind DJ Zinhle’s journey of becoming a DJ goes something like this. Zinhle originally wanted to be an actress and TV presenter.

“I came to Joburg in 1999 and studied TV presenting and when I went back home, I was very popular because I had met a few celebrities – I think Nimrod (Nkosi) was one of them. I honestly wanted to be a TV presenter because I saw how the YOTV presenters would get free sneakers. I didn’t realise it was so hard,” she told IOL in an interview.

While pursuing her dreams, Zinhle worked as a SAB brand manager. Her brother, who hired out sound equipment, introduced her to the world of deejaying.

In 2004, Zinhle was working the decks at clubs, parties, fashion shows and was even hired for corporate gigs.

Zinhle was one of a few women in the world of deejaying at the time and gained recognition in a male-dominated industry with hard work and sheer determination.

She started FUSE Academy in 2009 to help empower other female DJs. The academy was the first in South Africa to cater only to women. Zinhle announced in 2019 that the FUSE Academy will temporarily close its doors.

Zinhle’s DJing career has taken her all over the world. She has had gigs in London, Miami and Glasgow.