Thandi Draai

Thandi Draai is a South African DJ, producer, and vocalist. Growing up in Margate, her upbringing was far from healthy. She was a victim of physical and sexual abuse. She was rescued from her situation and grew up in a foster home called Give a Child a Family (GCF). Her time spent in that foster system influenced her decision to be a musician. GCF encouraged children to explore their creative sides through singing and dancing. She realised she had an inclination for music and so she decided to dedicate herself to it. Upon completing high school, she moved to Johannesburg to pursue education and a music career.  She made history when she became the first woman to enrol in Soul Candi’s Institute of Music, where she learned and perfected her DJing and producing skills.

She was the first woman of colour in South Africa to release a self-made EP, Down on Me, and Ignozi. In 2020, she was featured in a compilation series titled Africa Gets Physical under the label Get Physical Music. She has gone on to collaborate with many artists and has performed at various events both locally and internationally. 

Despite her success, she has not forgotten her upbringing and has launched her own campaign called #HOPE4TOMORROW. Her focus is to assist children who are victims of abuse and to provide them with necessities such as food and shelter. She is also passionate about uplifting other female artists in the industry.