Zwai Bala

Singer, songwriter, producer, arranger, performing artist, DJ and TV personality Zwai Bala first rose to stardom in 1997 as member of the sensational kwaito group TKZEE.  He since launched a solo career in gospel music, one that was launched on a high note when he won a 2002 South African Music Awards (SAMA) for his hit single Lifted.

Bala is a classically trained musician who has honed his skills as a student at the Drakensberg Boy's School.  He later pursued a Master's Certificate in Orchestration for Film and TV through Berklee Music in Boston.

In TKZEE, Zwai's work as composer, producer and performer made him a household name in the South African music industry.  The group revolutionised kwaito with their singles Take It Eezy, the holiday hit Phalafala and the ever-popular Shibobo, which sold over 280,000 units.

As a producer and/or musical director, Zwai has worked on musicals featuring Ali Campbell of UB-40 fame, and South Africa's Evolution On One show (featuring Hugh Masekela, Sipho Mabuse and other well-known artists); he produced the two-time Grammy award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir's album Grace, and has been the featured soloist at the Classical FM/ Lexus Soiree at the Sandton Intercontinental.  Zwai was a celebrity contestant on the first season of Strictly Come Dancing, partnering up with professional ballroom dancer Kego Motshabi, and finishing third overall.

Zwai also founded the supergroup Bala Brothers with his brothers Loyiso and Phelo, a highly in demand crossover opera / pop trio.