THOKO MAKAMBA

Thokozile Makamba, widely known as Thoko, is a singer/songwriter, voiceover artist born in Port Elizabeth. Thoko began her creative career singing in choirs and performing in theatre and musical theatre, during her school days. Thoko stepped into the house music scene in 2008 when she wrote her first recorded song while working with Point 5 and featured on the group’s debut album First Point (2012) with a song called ‘All in the Way.’

Thoko joined the band Clique Claq as lead vocalist in 2011 and the group went on to perform at various events and festivals in and around Nelson Mandela Bay. Clique Claq had the honor of opening for the legendary Stimela and Hugh Masekela. In 2016, Clique Claq took first place in the music category of the inaugural Mandela Bay Talent Search.

As a solo performer Thoko has headlined the Opening of the Season in Nelson Mandela Bay and festivals such as Ebubeleni. In 2017 she collaborated with Luke M and Euphonik on "Apologies" which was on rotation on national and international radio and television. The year 2018 saw Thoko join forces with DJ/Producer Pascal Morais from Amsterdam, Netherlands, on the track titled "Better Days." The song has gone on to have remixes by acclaimed deep house producers Osunlade and AtJazz.

Her debut solo show was held at the Port Elizabeth Opera House's Jazz Afro Sunday series in 2019. She was selected by the National Arts Festival in Makhanda to perform in their Fringe shows as a solo act and as the lead singer of Clique Claq. The band walked away with a Standard Bank Ovation Award.

Thoko was named the winner in the song writing category of the NMB Music Indaba. Her prizes included full tuition for a music Business Certificate, which she completed in 2020 from Boston City Campus and Business College.

2021 saw a new release with Themba (Euphonik) and the song ‘Reflections’ has been warmly received worldwide with Black Coffee doing the official remix of the song in 2022. She released her afro pop debut single “Ukethe Mina” in October 2022. Thoko will represent South Africa at the at the International Model and Talent Association (IMTA) convention in the USA.