Joliza Bhacasoul

Thandikhaya Magayiyana, stage name Joliza Bhacasoul, born on the 30th August 1991 in Gqeberha is a singer-songwriter with strong family roots from Emawusheni Village KwaBhaca, formerly known as Mount Frere in the Old Transkei Homeland. He has spent years honing his craft to produce his Bhacasoul sound which integrates his Bhaca heritage sounds, igwijo and contemporary musical elements. He started experimenting with music in 2005 and since then he has been composing and
independently releasing his own music from locally produced singles, EPs and albums some of which has been played on national radio stations such as Radio 2000, Umhlobo Wenene FM and TruFM and on local radio stations like KQFM and BayFM. Joliza released his first commercial project titled “Bhacasoul Experience” on the 5th of May 2023. A 5 – song EP distributed through Platoon. Although his music reflects some elements of Afro soul, jazz and maskandi, Joliza calls his music Bhaca soul music, a genre which leans more on traditional Bhaca rhythm elements of “ukucwiya” (spiritual singing), “ukuvalela” (spiritual humming) and “ukusina” (spiritual dancing).

Notable Events:
Ebubeleni Music Festival (2016)
National Arts Festival in Makhanda (2020 & 2022).
Mandela Bay Arts Festival in Gqeberha (2022).
Ebubeleni Festival’s All – White Heritage Picnic (2022).
IsiXhosa Music Festival (2023).
Splash Festival (2024)

Notable Awards and Achievements:
Bay Area Music Award 2017 (Best Newcomer).
Nelson Mandela Bay Music Awards 2018 (Best Newcomer, Best Male Artist & Best Afropop song)
Eastern Cape Music Award 2024 ( Best Maskandi Artist).
Ushuni Womhlaba Season 1 Winner (2024).
SAMA Nominee (Newcomer of the Year and Best Traditional Album) 2024.