The 28 year-old, who won the hearts of South Africans in 2019 following her powerful and pitch-perfect homage to Miriam Makeba’s ‘Qongqothwane’ (The click Song) on ‘The Voice SA‘ S3 is back in the spotlight with a hot new singile, Bekezela, which sees her reclaim and reaffirm her position as one of South Africa’s rising stars.
Her soul stirring rendition not only earned her one of the fastest four-chair turns ever in the singing reality TV show’s brief yet significant history, but also a standing ovation from both members of the audience and judges (among them Lira, Riana Nel and the late Riky Rick). It was a series of electrifying performances such as this that saw her earn a spot in the top 3, coming right after Port Elizabeth singer Eon le Roux as the second runner-up, and Cape Town rocker Tasché Burger, who took the title as the first female winner of the ‘The Voice SA‘ S3.
The Rhodes University Bachelor of Arts graduate, real name Sikelelwa Joan Qwazi, is dedicating the song to her loved ones and the nation as a whole, encouraging them not to lose hope in the face of adversity. “I am excited about the release of ‘Bekezela’, Siki Jo-An says, adding: ” poured my heart and soul to this song. I am fortunate to have worked with a team that believed in the song and what it means to me. I hope South Africa will enjoy this tune and my sound.”
A self-written number produced by Mojalefa ‘Mjakes’ Thebe, ‘Bekezela‘ was released in August (2022) on major digital music streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer and Shazam.
Siki Joan; inevitable rise to stardom
An inspirational story that follows the archetypal: a relatively small-town rising star leaves her banal existence behind (Kwazakhele township in Gqeberha where she was born and raised) to take her ambitions and talents to the big city; Johannesburg.
The multifaceted entertainer who dabbles in acting, songwriting and teaching art, Siki Jo-An has been making strides in the music industry since her experience on ‘The Voice SA‘ in 2019 and has performed in major concerts across the country, including The Playhouse, The PE Op House, Sibikwa Art Centre, Johannesburg Theatre and Moses Mabhida Stadium.
On August 13, Siki Jo-An opened the rugby match between SA and New Zealand singing the National Anthem alongside the internationally-acclaimed Belinda Davids. This performance along with many ahead, attest to her growth as a one of South Africa’s rising music stars.
