THOKOZA, a 5-piece female vocal group, is the brain child of Thuli Dumakude, with its roots in Durban. Since moving to New York City in 1979, Thuli has been involved in a number of theatrical and music/dance productions that celebrate the cultures and arts of South African and African American people.
The group combines the ingoma’busuku (Zulu night music) vocal style and features a diverse repertoire of older Zulu celebration songs, church influenced songs, fun filled works and original compositions which still speaks of the need for social change. Based on the indigenous Zulu song and dance traditions, the style reflects the strong influence of western hymn and choral singing and includes elements of African American music introduced to South Africa in the nineteenth century by touring troupes, and later recordings of American jubilee and gospel quartets. The result is a smooth, open choral sound featuring precise harmonies, interweaving vocal parts, tilting rhythms, and unmistakably African vocal inflections and ornamentations.
After eight months of hard work (in 1989) and everyday rehearsals THOKOZA made its entrance on stage in Brooklyn New York with raving success, and soon after that THOKOZA became a household name. Upon returning home Thuli looked for women who enjoyed the challenge of a capella singing. After auditioning a number of women, she found five powerful voices. THOKOZA was invited to perform at Nelson Mandela’s 80th birthday in Johannesburg. Now that THOKOZA has moved back to Durban where it all started, it looks forward to performing in South Africa and the world over, showing off the beauty of pure vocal music.
