Zwai Bala is a South African musical director, composer, singer, songwriter, arranger, educator, and public speaker who was born on February 15, 1975. Due to his membership in the singing trio The Bala Brothers, he is most known. He gave a performance alongside TKZee during the South Africa 2010 World Cup.
From the Kwaito trio, he developed into a musical entrepreneur. He is one of South Africa’s leading crossover producers and musical directors. He is a member of TKZee, together with Tokollo Tshabalala and Kabelo Mabalane.
| Zwai Bala Background Information | |
|---|---|
| Full name: | Zwai Bala |
| Born: | 15 February 1975 (age 49 years old) |
| Place birth: | Uitenhage, Eastern Cape |
| Nationality | South African |
| Education: | St Stithians College |
| Alma mater: | Berklee College of Music |
| Parents: | Sebenzile Jafta, Veronica Bala |
| Siblings: | Loyiso Bala, Phelo Bala, Pinky Bala |
| Occupation: | Singer, actor |
| Years active: | 1997-date |
| Genre: | Kwaito, Gospel |
| Affiliation: | The Bala Brothers, TKZee |
| Spouse: | Melani Bala |
Zwai Bala Childhood
On February 15, 1975, Zwai Bala was born in Uitenhage, Eastern Cape, South Africa. His family is from a musically talented Bala background. He has a sister named Pinky Bala and two brothers named Loyiso and Phelo Bala. The eldest son is Zwai.
Sebenzile Jafta, also known as Tatu Jafta, his father, passed away unexpectedly in February 2024 following a visit to the hospital. He founded The Bala Brothers, a vocal group, with his brothers. The Bala boys’ mother is Veronica Bala.
Education
Bala went to the Drakensberg Boys Choir School in KwaZulu-Natal, which is close to Winterton. In 1994, he graduated from St. Stithians College. From Boston’s Berklee College of Music, he has an online Master’s Certificate in Orchestration for Film and Television.
Bala pursued his musical education at esteemed establishments such the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, UK, and the London-based Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, UNISA.
Zwai Bala Career
Bala participated in the Drakensberg Boys Choir (DBC) talent scout competition, Golden Voice Competition, in 1987. He advanced to the Round of 7.
Zwai became the first black student to attend the school after receiving a subsidy from the DBC. He joined the chorus during his first year and won Tenor Soloist of the Year the following year.
When the singer met Kabelo Mabalane and Tokollo Tshabalala in high school, he began his professional music career. After forming the Kwaito group TKZee, they recorded the hit singles Take It Eezy and Phalafala.
In 1998, they had a single with Benni McCarthy during the France World Cup. The song, which sold over 280,000 copies, was produced by him.
The ensemble has been recognized and awarded multiple times. After winning five accolades at the 1999 SAMAs—including Best Kwaito Single, Best Kwaito Album, Best Single, Best Video, and Best Duo or Group—they returned from the event.
They won another SAMA for Best Kwaito track for Izinjazam in 2001. The greatest rap single went to their song Lifted from Zwai Bala Presents Lifted Volume 1. He has overseen multiple projects as director.
Bala directed M-Net’s Face of Africa in 2001, the 7th Annual SAMA Awards at the Sandton Convention Center, and Evolution, which broadcast on SABC 1 in 2002.
He has also contributed to the Siyaphezulu Workshop in Johannesburg, the Telkom/SABC 3 Christmas Concert at the Sandton Convention Center, and the Tribute/SABC 2 Achievers Awards 2003.
Songs and Awards
At the Old Mutual Captains of Industry Dinner, Zwai oversaw and led the JMI Orchestra as well as an eight-piece live band.
The director oversaw the Union Buildings in Pretoria’s 10th Year Democracy Celebration Concert in 2004. Zwai wrote the music for the 2006 Soccer World Cup in Germany’s handover ceremony.
Zwai was the first-ever Stars of Mzansi Awards’ musical director and composer. He oversaw the 10-year celebration’s closing event at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town as well as the opening of Parliament.
When Bala was in Standard 8 at St. Stithians College, he performed as a soloist with the Duke of Cornwall Singers. He was a member of The Chanticleer Singers after high school.
The singer has appeared at a number of important occasions, such as the Telkom/702 Christmas Concert. At the Sandton Intercontinental’s Classical FM/Lexus Soiree, he performed as a featured soloist.
In addition, Zwai Bala co-produced a number of tracks, including Winding Rivers and Waterfalls by Tshepo Tshola. He recorded the gospel debut album Genesis in the studio alongside his entire family—mother, sister, brothers, and relatives. A SAMA nomination for Best Gospel Performance was received for the song.
In 2009, the vocalist produced the Grammy Award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir’s song Grace.
Zwai is an actor as well. He has made appearances on numerous television programs, including Classical Countdown, All You Need is Love (second season), and Isidingo. He served as a judge in South Africa at the Coca-Cola Popstars in 2023.
Bala has performed in operas, musicals, and theatrical plays both on international stages and in studios.
Zwai Bala Individual Life
In October 2017, Zwai Bala and his former spouse Melani Bala, who have two kids together, declared their split. The couple met when they were in their 20s and were together for seventeen years.
Bala revealed on social media in 2020 that he was expecting a child with his new spouse. But the mother’s identity is still a mystery.
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