Yvonne Chaka Chaka Biography
Yvonne Chaka Chaka was born in 1965 in Dobsonville, South Africa. She is a South African singer, songwriter, entrepreneur, humanitarian, and teacher. In 2001 and 2006 she became the face of First National Bank (FNB). She served as an Honorary Colonel in the South African Air Force.
In 2015 she signed an open letter which the ONE Campaign had been collecting signatures for; the letter was addressed to Angela Merkel and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, urging them to focus on women as they serve as the head of the G7 in Germany and the AU in South Africa respectively, which will start to set the priorities in development funding before the main UN summit in September 2015 that will establish new development goals for the generation.
Yvonne Chaka Chaka Age.
Yvonne was born on March 18th, 1965. She is 54 years old as of 2019.
Yvonne Chaka Chaka Family.
Yvonne has been married to her husband Mandlalele Mhinga, a medical doctor, since 1989. Together the couple has four sons, who are all grown now. His sons are Ningi Mhinga, Themba Mhinga, Mandla Mhinga, and Mfuma Mhinga.
Yvonne Chaka Chaka Early Life.
Chaka Chaka was born in Dobsonville in Soweto. She had a rough childhood while growing up since her father died when she was 11. Her mother, a domestic worker, had to raise her and her siblings single-handedly on her meager 40 Rand a month salary.
She started singing at 19 in 1984 when Phil Hollis of Dephon Records discovered her in Johannesburg
She has a degree and diploma from the University of South Africa, one in adult education, another in local government, management and administration. She also studied speech and drama at Trinity College, London, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1997.
Yvonne Chaka Chaka Career in music
She was discovered by Phil Hollis of Dephon Records in 1984 when she was just 19 years. She was dubbed the Princess of Africa. Yvonne experienced a meteoric rise as a music star of infectious pop melodies and dance music during the height of apartheid. Her début album was called “I’m in Love With a DJ’. Songs like “I’m Burning Up”, “I Cry for Freedom”, “Sangoma”, “Motherland” and the ever-popular, “Umqombothi” immediately ensured Chaka Chaka’s status as a star on South Africa’s mbaqanga music scene.
She said in an interview that she admires her mother who inspired her to make music. Both her parents were musicians and she was happy to fulfill the dream his father was not able to accomplish. She has been singing at her church choir and people would be amazed at how amazing her talent and passion for singing was.
Chaka Chaka has her own music label and her own production company, as well as owning a limousine company together with her husband, Dr. Mandlalele (Tiny) Mhinga.
Teaching Career.
She teaches literacy part-time at the University of South Africa she has promoted the rights of women and works to protect children everywhere, and she is a Trustee of Tomorrow Trust, which educates orphans and vulnerable children.
Yvonne Chaka Chaka Albums & Songs.
Albums.
I’m Burning Up (1986)
Sangoma (1987)
Thank You, Mr. DJ (1987)
I Cry For Freedom (1988)
The Power of Afrika (1996)
Back On My Feet (1997)
Bombani (Tiko Rahina) (1997)
Princess Of Africa: The Best of Yvonne Chaka Chaka (1999)
Yvonne and Friends (2000)
Yvonne and Friends (2001)
Kwenzenjani (2002)
Princess of Africa, Vol. 2 (2002)
Celebrate Life (2006)
Compilations
The Princess of Africa: The Best of Yvonne Chaka Chaka (1995)
The Princess of Africa: The Best of Yvonne Chaka Chaka Vol. 2 (2002)
Songs.
- Umqombothi
- Thank You Mr. D.J
- Motherland
- Let Me Be Free
- From Me To You
- Let Him Go
- Sangoma
- I’m Burning Up
- I Cry For Freedom
- Makoti
- Kana Uchema
- Stimela
- I’m In Love With A DJ
- Who’s Got The Power
- I’m Winning My Dear Love
- Bombani
- Caught Breaking The Law
- Be Proud To Be African
- Kwedini
- I’m Suffering
- Kwenzenjani
- Every Woman Needs A Man
- Private Lover
- power of Afrika
- Take My Love It’s Free
- Come A Little Bit Closer
- Will Africa Change
- We Are Growing
- Baby, I Want You Right Now
- You’re Not Woman Enough To
- Mina Ngeke Ngilunge
- Man Of The World
Yvonne Chaka Chaka Ambassador
- She is a champion for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, the United Nations MDG Envoy for Africa.
- She is the Goodwill Ambassador for the Roll Back Malaria Partnership.
- She was the first ambassador for Nelson Mandela’s 46664 Campaign which raises global awareness of HIV/AIDS.
- She has also been ambassador to the University of South Africa (UNISA), City of Johannesburg Tourism, and South Africa’s Mpumalanga Province Tourism.
Yvonne Chaka Chaka Foundation
She has a foundation known as The Princess of Africa Foundation which is a partner of the Action global health advocacy partnership.
Yvonne Chaka Chaka Membership
- She is a board member of Information Technology Companies.
- Board member of Human Resource Development
- Board member of Sandown Motors.
Yvonne Chaka Chaka Awards
2012: World Economic Forum’s Crystal Award ( she was the first African woman to receive the award)