Onica finally releases debut single

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After many years spent as a backing vocalist, Onica Vumbhoni Maluleke, known simply as Onica, has finally come out of her cocoon and is now basking in the limelight. This follows the release of her debut single, “Yeshua Hamashiach”, on Thursday, 18 January.

The single was recorded at Dawn Records and Film Productions in Tembisa, Gauteng, and was produced by master producer Bonginkosi Yeko. The 35-year-old singer, a member of The Christ Apostolic Church International in Hlaneki, Giyani, is also in the hair and nail business, which she operates from her room.

She said the single was the best thing to have happened in her life and singing career. “I have been a backing vocalist for reggae icon Black Wadada and sang in the church choir since I was 17. I accumulated a lot of experience over the years. It is time now for me to get out and make a name for myself as a solo artist. God has been so good to me. He gave me this beautiful voice for a reason - to praise Him. To kickstart my solo career by releasing this gospel single was the obvious thing for me to do. This is to thank and praise God for blessing me with this talent,” she said.

As to where her interest in music first began, Onica said she was born into and brought up by a Christian family who were staunch and respected members of the local ZCC church, where she was exposed to music from an early age. “I started singing at Sunday School, and later also in my primary and high school choirs. I always wanted to be a singer, and my role model had always been Nigerian singer Mercy Chinwo. This is my first solo single, and I am so overwhelmed by the support I am getting so far. People are calling and inquiring about the single. This shows me that I am on the right track and soon I will release a full album and make them happy,” Onica said.

The single is available on all digital platforms. Onica says she is currently busy with a disco album, but a gospel album is also on the cards.

By: Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019.