Zola (entertainer)

Bonginkosi "Zola" Dlamini (born 24 April 1977 in Soweto, Johannesburg) is a South African musician, poet, actor and presenter. He was also a presenter of Zola 7, a television show named after him.

Bonginkosi Dlamini was born on 24 April 1977 in Soweto township of Johannesburg, Gauteng province, South Africa, where Dlamini spent his formative years in Zola, sub-township in Soweto notoriously known for its high crime rate, from which he adopted his name.Unemployment, alcoholism, and single parent families are the norm in Zola. Dlamini's father believed to be part of the Mchunu clan abandoned the family, leaving his mother to care for him and his older brother and sister when they were young. Zola himself served time in prison as a juvenile for car theft.

Zola became well known for his role as the notorious gangster Papa Action in Yizo Yizo 2. The character was already popular in Yizo Yizo and had been portrayed by another actor. Zola resembled the previous performer, and his performance only increased the popularity of the role. He also performed the score and played a role in the Academy Award-winning film Tsotsi and the movie Drum. Zola also has a prominent role in the documentary SHARP! SHARP!- the kwaito story (2003) directed by Aryan Kaganof.Currently from 2015 to 2016 He has been a minor role actor on Tv series Isibaya & Zabalaza.

Bonginkosi Dlamini has enjoyed success as a Kwaito superstar, and is probably the most popular Kwaito artist in the country; Lance Stehr of Ghetto Ruff records has referred to Zola as "the second biggest brand in the country next to Nelson Mandela." Zola not only performs but also writes and produces some of his own music, signing to the independent label Ghetto Ruff records. Zola will be recording a posthumous collaboration with hip-hop legend Tupac Shakur. The track will be recorded in South Africa but feature on a CD to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Shakur's death on 13 September 1996. Zola is also the owner of the music company Guluva Entertainment.

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