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literally means problem child, he expresses his feelings about the neighborhood he grew up in. He talks about the horrible quality of life of the township, particularly the extreme level crime and violence. "Beware of the Zola boys; we do crime for money" demonstrates Zola's past and also the perpetual anguish of life in a ghetto. Today, Zola works on behalf of younger performers, helping them to be integrated into the music industry. He is a pioneer in social action and benefit projects in South Africa.
413:. The latter is the vernacular slang in South Africa. This infusion of colloquial dialect with a national language allows for better interaction between the artists and the community South Africans in lower socio-economic classes who live in the townships and speak Tsotsitaal can relate to Kwaito music differently from Cape Town hip hop or US hip hop because of the lyrics. Additionally many of his songs describe situations of life in the townships, particularly Soweto.
383:
Originally, Zola was not a fan of Kwaito music, because it "had no message." He has taken upon himself to change this, viewing himself as a role model. "I want to inspire a guy from the ghetto so he can stop hanging around in the corner begging and try to get some life." In the song "Mdlwembe", which
333:
was a television programme produced by
Connect TV in 2015 which aired on Mzansi Magic and was presented by Zola. In each episode Zola helped participants to find or reconnect with their biological fathers. Zola accompanied participating sons to meetings with their fathers and facilitated
253:. His artist name is based on his hometown. Dlamini's father, believed to be part of the Mchunu clan, abandoned the family, leaving his mother to care for him and his older brother and sister when they were young. In 2023 Zola was homeless and Royal AM owner gave him 100 thousand Rand.
347:
is a docu-reality show on Moja Love. The programme started in
October 2018 and is hosted by Zola. Each episode is 30 minutes and focuses on the alleviation of social problems like youth unemployment, housing shortage or insufficient community libraries. Unlike his former show,
267:. The character was already popular from the first season, where it had been portrayed by another performer. Zola 7 resembled the previous actor, and his performance only increased the popularity of the role. He also performed the score and played a role in the
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conversation. Additionally, a professional counsellor was present to mediate. Having been to child court over the custody for his own children, Zola can relate to the show's content on a personal level.
984:. "Mapping of Black Atlantic Performance Geographies: From Slave Ship to Ghetto." In Black Geographies and the Politics of Place, ed. by Katherine McKittrick and Clyde Woods, 193-217. Cambridge, MA:
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233:, he has assisted numerous individuals in achieving their personal and social development goals. Notable among his initiatives is the establishment of libraries for their communities.
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is branded as apolitical, and often associated with the advancement of personal wealth, glamorized gangster lifestyle, and frivolous consumption themes found in much of
Jamaican
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398:. The genre is associated with a new political freedom gain since the end of apartheid in South Africa and less political strife. The form of the
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Mhlambi, Thokozani. "'Kwaitofabulous': The study of a South
African urban genre." Journal of the Musical Arts in Africa, vol 1 (2004): 116-27.
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Zola 7 became well known for his role as the notorious gangster Papa Action in the second season of the television series
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Nhlanhla
Sibongile Mafu, Johannesburg, 2002 "hybridization and slang in South African poetry" Kagablog 12 December 2007
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produced by Zola is in that case an anomaly in that it is very much politically charged and contains a social message.
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Dlamini is part of the newly launched Massiv Metro, an online station pioneered by DJ Sbu.
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690:"The Kwaito Generation : Inside Out :: A production of 90.9 WBUR Boston, MA"
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The Kwaito
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records has referred to Zola as "the second biggest brand in the country next to
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Shota, Babalwa (2004) 'Dare to Dream.' "Sunday Times
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records. Zola is also the owner of the music company Guluva
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addresses communities and aimes specifically for sustainable development.
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was a television show presented by Zola airing from 2002 to 2010 on
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https://www.dstv.com/mzansimagic/en-za/news/isibaya-meets-ayeye
998:'I saw blood on the street' | Features | guardian.co.uk Film
283:(2004). Zola 7 also has a prominent role in the documentary
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Bonginkosi
Dlamini was born on 24 April 1977 and grew up in
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1044:"What Happened To Bonginkosi Dlamini AKA Zola 7 - RedLive"
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in 2005, for which he also wrote the musical score.
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948:BBC World Service | Rhythms of the Continent
825:"Bonginkosi 'Zola' Dlamini back with a bang"
626:He also received three Metro FM Awards 2001
364:Bonginkosi Dlamini has enjoyed success as a
229:. Through his show "Zola 7", which aired on
210:musician, actor, writer, TV presenter, and
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875:Mothombeni, Aubrey (2 September 2018).
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570:(soundtrack of the 2005 motion picture)
901:Kekana, Chrizelda (7 September 2018).
851:"Utatakho - A dose of paternity drama"
797:Moganedi, Kgomotso (15 January 2015).
416:On 7 July 2007 Zola performed at the
286:SHARP! SHARP! : the Kwaito story
7:
756:"Zola: the townships' beating heart"
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971:Zola: Rising music icon of our time
849:Mkhwanazi, Katlego (2 July 2015).
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877:"Zola 7 back with new telly show"
25:For other people named Zola, see
719:Rogers, Douglas (20 June 2002).
352:, which focused on individuals,
823:Mopedi, Kemong (15 June 2015).
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1116:Musicians from Johannesburg
1019:"Zola rocking the airwaves"
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368:musician. Lance Stehr of
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721:"Straight outta Jo'burg"
237:Biography and early life
799:"The return of Zola 7?"
298:, as well as Zabalaza.
637:Best Album of the Year
277:(2005), and the movie
1131:Musicians from Soweto
1126:South African rappers
982:Stanley-Niaah, Sonjah
706:The Kwaito Generation
409:with a high usage of
225:Zola is a respected
180:Guluva Entertainment
1070:Interview with Zola
1050:on 29 October 2018.
855:Mail & Guardian
696:on 10 February 2008
633:- Ghetto Scandalous
616:- Ghetto Scandalous
469:Zabalaza (season 3)
20:Bonginkosi Dhlamini
1079:Talk of the Nation
602:Artist of the Year
197:Bonginkosi Dlamini
46:Bonginkosi Dlamini
765:. 14 April 2006.
663:Mpapu, Hopewell.
643:Best Kwaito Album
620:Best Kwaito Album
485:(seasons 3 and 4)
463:Rolling with Zola
418:South African leg
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164:2000–present
160:Years active
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111:2000–present
97:TV presenter
67:South Africa
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1101:1977 births
881:The Sowetan
829:Destiny Man
700:22 February
645:- Umdlwembe
639:- Umdlwembe
622:- Umdlwembe
610:- Yizo Yizo
586:Intathakusa
536:Discography
436:Filmography
378:Ghetto Ruff
370:Ghetto Ruff
176:Ghetto Ruff
82:Occupations
74:Nationality
27:Zola (name)
1090:Categories
650:References
548:Khokhovula
509:(season 1)
501:(season 1)
493:(season 1)
477:(season 1)
450:(season 2)
441:Television
422:Live Earth
411:Tsotsitaal
302:Television
151:Instrument
52:1977-04-24
912:8 January
886:8 January
860:8 January
834:8 January
808:8 January
803:Daily Sun
773:8 January
730:8 January
554:Bhambatha
542:Umdlwembe
448:Yizo Yizo
392:Dancehall
264:Yizo Yizo
933:Archived
767:Archived
674:1 August
669:Truelove
499:Utatakho
331:Utatakho
325:Utatakho
247:township
88:Musician
574:Impepho
483:Isibaya
407:isiZulu
296:Isibaya
203:, is a
1028:26 May
988:, 2007
604:- 2002
593:Awards
588:(2014)
582:(2011)
580:Unyezi
576:(2009)
567:Tsotsi
562:(2005)
560:Ibutho
556:(2004)
550:(2002)
544:(2000)
531:(2005)
528:Tsotsi
523:(2004)
507:Zaziwa
491:iNkaba
456:Zola 7
400:Kwaito
388:Kwaito
366:Kwaito
350:Zola 7
314:Zola 7
308:Zola 7
288:(2003)
274:Tsotsi
251:Soweto
231:SABC 1
220:Tsotsi
208:kwaito
201:Zola 7
169:Labels
154:Vocals
145:Kwaito
141:Genres
136:Zola 7
63:Soweto
515:Films
475:aYeYe
428:Radio
360:Music
318:SABC1
257:Actor
94:actor
1030:2020
1023:eNCA
914:2019
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702:2008
676:2022
521:Drum
394:and
280:Drum
245:, a
243:Zola
212:poet
91:poet
42:Born
36:Zola
1076:'s
1074:NPR
1072:on
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