Thandiswa began her career around about 1996. She shot to fame as the hip female lead singer and song-writer for Bongo Maffin , one of the hottest kwaito bands to come out of South Africa. The group has toured all corners of the globe, including Europe and America, singing alongside Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan and Sean Paul. Four albums and eight years later, she decided to do a solo project, the album 'Zabalaza', which was released on South Africa's 10th annivessary of Freedom.

Zabalaza won her 2 Kora awards in 2004 among other national awards that year, and she was named Best Female Vocalist in 2004 and 2005.

Her hand-picked band was selected from a range of musicians who participated in a three day auditions process. Chosen from over 400 candidates, the band brings a vibrant, fresh young sound to her live performances. “I decided to create a band from a completely fresh crop of musicians” Thandiswa explains to SAMusic. “There’s so much talent out there, just waiting to be discovered. I’m living my dreams through my work, and I’m able to do that partly because certain people gave me a chance. So I want to be able to give other young talents the same opportunity, and allow them to live their dreams. We can travel the world together, making music."