- TDK was born Thandeka Nompumelelo Mkhwanazi in Durban in 1992 and 14 years down the line, she began to ring her name into the ears of radio listeners in the region
- She started her entertainment journey with dancing even being part of dance squads however she soon moved on to singing and has even been nominated for a reputable award in South Africa
- Now a fiancé who got proposed to during a very romantic dinner, she owns her own communications management company and has gone on an international tour, sealing her name in the hearts of many.
TDK Macassette is a Durban-born entertainer who became active in the entertainment scene in 2014. She is a dancer, singer, and radio host who is fast becoming one of South Africa’s big names.
Her story as to how she joined the entertainment industry is one interesting story as she was initially in the cooperate field. Nonetheless, TDK Macassette says that she was born for entertainment and her fans believe her. She has even proven this over the years through her works like Mashobana and Zama that she has the talent.
To further buttress how good she is, she was nominated for the Mzansi Kwaito and House Music Award for ‘Best Gqom Artist’ in 2019.
Getting To Know Her
Born on September 22, 1992, Thandeka Nompumelelo Mkhwanazi is her real name. She was born in the Kwazulu-natal province in Durban, South Africa, and grew up as the second of three girls.
Thandeka had her education in Durban and graduated from the Durban University of Technology. She studied Public Relations and Communication Management Science. Graduating with a degree, she moved on to the corporate world and began to run PR services for clients.
Nompumelelo Mkhwanazi goes by two monikers, especially in the entertainment industry. She can be called TDK Macassette or Gqom Barbie but rarely by her birth name.
Here Are Other Facts About Her
1. She Started Her Radio Career at the age of 14 and Her Music Career At 26
As of 2006 aged 14, TDK Macassette had already begun her career as a radio host. She hosted a youth radio show on Ukhozi FM. She worked as a host for a while and this was the beginning of her journey towards greatness.
As for music, Macassette was first introduced to music after working with DJ Maphorisa at an event in 2016. She tells the story of how she was freestyling and the Dj heard her and asked her to record what she sang.
Upon recording and sending it to him, she was invited to Johannesburg and this was the beginning of her musical career. It hasn’t been so long since the Durban-born began her career as a singer. She first broke into the music industry in 2018 with her first single Domoroza, signed to Universal Music.
She has also been credited for her involvement in iWalk Ye Phara by DJ Maphorisa. Still, in 2018, TDK released another single titled ‘Zama’ featuring Okmalumkoolkat, a South African rapper.
However, she later had a fall-out with DJ Maphorisa. This fall-out led him to replace her with Moonchild Sandley for the remix of the song. The quarrel is said to have been over a song Gqom Barbie claims is rightfully hers and was stolen by the DJ.
2. She Plans On Sending Positive Messages Through Her Songs
The South African singer said that she wants to be able to send the right messages through her music. As such, she censors what she sings about and tries not to involve alcohol, drugs, and twerking. She also says she doesn’t plan on showing her bare body in her videos.
She wants her music to be a uniting force sending positive messages to all who listen or hear it. The ‘Zama’ singer said she was called by God to sing and that she doesn’t do so for herself any longer but for her listeners.
3. Dancing Has Always Been Her First Love
Before she started hosting on radio, Nompumelelo was always tilted towards dance. This form of entertainment was her first choice and love and she was quite dedicated to the course.
She even went on the Gauteng tours with Hip Hop Pantsula as a female dance member. Thandeka’s parents encouraged her passion for dancing and so she was able to pursue a career in it.
4. She Has Gone on an International Tour
After releasing a single in May of 2019, the dancer then went on her first international tour to Germany. She toured with Kabza De Small who is a renowned amapiano producer.
Apart from her international stints, Macassette also performed at local festivals and events including a political manifesto launch at The Rand Stadium in Johannesburg.
5. She is Soon-To-Be Married
Sometime in 2020, Thandeka’s position as a girlfriend was upgraded to that of a fiancé. Her then-boyfriend organized a romantic getaway for both of them to the UAE where he popped the question.
The atmosphere was set for a very romantic dinner close to a marine view as they had their time to themselves. While they dined, a diver in her view held up a ‘Please Be My Wife’ card, and upon turning to look at her man, she saw him with a huge smile and a box containing a ring on the table.
In her post on Instagram, she shared her happy moment as she captioned the post ‘I Said Yes.’
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6. TDK Macassette Influencer Role Came with Some Backlashes from Fans
Gqom Barbie was introduced as a brand influencer for Pocket Scotch, a Whiskey brand. She was announced alongside Reason and Langa Mavuso as the influencers of the Johnny Walker brand. However, she came under fire for associating with an alcohol brand after promising to keep her music clean and free from such. The influencer then cleared up the air with an explanation as to why her decisions are not mutually inclusive.
Thandeka explained that as a person she has two different brands. There is the TDK Macassette and there is the Gqom Barbie. TDK who is the professional and business side of her created Gqom Barbie who is the singer.
In retrospect, Gqom Barbie is all for preaching only clean and positive messages while TDK handles businesses and professional gigs. She further reiterated that each of them is allowed different personalities and that is exactly what is playing out.
As such, the TDK Macassette brand can partner and influence for whatever brand but Gqom Barbie still has her principles intact.
7. She Owns A Management Company
As one who has worked in the cooperate world before, 32 Thandeka Mkhwanazi is the owner of Tdeeiosion. It is a communication management company and this keeps her connected to her university-studied course.
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