Sol Phenduka
Sol Phenduka | |
|---|---|
| Born | Solomzi Thandubuntu Phenduka February 18, 1987 Vosloorus, Gauteng, South Africa |
| Genres | Deep house, electro house, Tribal House, Afro Beat, Nu Jazz, Afro dub |
| Occupations | radio personality, music DJ, podcaster |
| Instrument | music sequencer, |
| Years active | 2008 –present |
Solomzi Thandubuntu Phenduka (born 18 February 1987) is a South African radio personality, music DJ and podcaster. A reality TV star contested on Big Brother Mzansi season 1, he is professionally known as Sol Phenduka.[1]
Life and career
[edit]Phenduka was born in Vosloorus and raised by a single mother. He attended St Francis College in Benoni, matriculating in 2006 and later receiving a Bachelor's degree from the University of Johannesburg.[2][3][4] His music interest began at an early age as a rapper. He was also a prolific Reggae vocalist until he fell out with his group Sol and the Mambinos.
Career
[edit]Radio and broadcasting
[edit]Phenduka began his broadcasting career as an intern at YFM in 2008, later securing on-air roles and contributing to youth-targeted programming. He subsequently worked on breakfast radio shows, including a period on 5FM where he contributed to the Fresh at 5 / DJ Fresh programming team. Over the years he has presented on several national stations and occupied high-profile morning show slots. [5][6][7]
In 2022 Phenduka joined Kaya 959 as co-host of the breakfast show with Dineo Ranaka. In August 2025 Kaya FM announced that Phenduka had been suspended with immediate effect pending the outcome of an internal process; the station said it was committed to due process and would not release further details until the investigation concluded. [8][9]
Reality television
[edit]Phenduka was a housemate and finalist on Big Brother Mzansi (season 1), which increased his national profile and helped broaden his media opportunities. [10]
Podcasting and online media
[edit]Phenduka has been a regular contributor and co-host on Podcast and Chill with MacG, along side Macgyver Mukwevho, a leading African podcast and web series; episodes featuring him have attracted large online audiences and contributed to his profile as a media personality. The podcast is broadcast on YouTube.[11][12]
Music career
[edit]Phenduka is also a recording artist and music producer. Phenduka has released two singles in 2010 and 2011,[13] and an album in 2012.[4][14][15] He was also part of the contestants on Big Brother Mzansi in 2014.
He has released at least one self-titled album, Sol Phenduka, (released on major streaming platforms) and several singles and remixes, including the tracks "Uhuru" and later remix projects; his music is available on streaming services such as Apple Music and Spotify. [16][17]
Controversy / disciplinary action
[edit]In August 2025, Kaya 959 announced that Phenduka had been suspended pending an internal investigation; the station confirmed the suspension and said it would follow due process, but did not publish further details while the investigation was underway. [18][19]
This was not the first suspension in Phenduka’s broadcasting career. In January 2015 he was suspended by the national youth station 5FM (along with a producer/colleague) after making remarks on air about the Van Breda family murders that were judged offensive; management removed the feature segment and imposed a short suspension while they investigated and dealt with the matter. [20][21][22]
Singles
[edit]As lead artist
[edit]| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZA | |||||||
| "Diqabang" (Khathapillar, Sol Phenduka, Smash SA featuring Kamoh Xaba) | 2024 | 2[23] | Non-album single | ||||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||||||
References
[edit]- ^ Exploring the success stories of Big Brother Mzansi contestants, IOL, 23 January 2025
- ^ "Sol Phenduka - Who's Who SA". www.whoswhosa.co.za.
- ^ "Radio jock keeps tribal music in the house - IOL Entertainment".
- ^ a b "trufm". Archived from the original on November 5, 2013.
- ^ "About – Solomzi Creations - Sol Phenduka". Retrieved August 21, 2025.
- ^ "Sol Phenduka moves with his mic". The Citizen. 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
- ^ Pantsi, Nandipha. "Sol Phenduka moves with his mic".
- ^ "Kaya 959 shocker: radio host Sol Phenduka suspended as due process unfolds". News24. August 20, 2025. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
- ^ "Kaya 959 suspends Sol Phenduka". Sowetan Live. August 20, 2025. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
- ^ "Sol Phenduka - TVSA". Retrieved August 21, 2025.
- ^ "PODCAST AND CHILL WITH MACG - YouTube (episodes featuring Sol Phenduka)". Retrieved August 21, 2025.
- ^ "About – Solomzi Creations - Sol Phenduka". Retrieved August 21, 2025.
- ^ "AFROdesiaMP3 - African House Music Downloads - Sol Phenduka - Uhuru".
- ^ Mandla. "Showbizone - Showbizone". www.showbizone.co.za.
- ^ "Welcome To Motsweding Fm". Archived from the original on May 29, 2012.
- ^ "Sol Phenduka - Apple Music". Retrieved August 21, 2025.
- ^ "Sol Phenduka on Spotify". Retrieved August 21, 2025.
- ^ "Kaya 959 shocker: radio host Sol Phenduka suspended as due process unfolds". News24. August 20, 2025. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
- ^ "Sol Phenduka suspended from Kaya 959 amid internal process". Sunday World. August 20, 2025. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
- ^ "5FM traffic reporter Sol Phenduka suspended". SowetanLIVE. January 29, 2015. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
- ^ "5FM duo suspended on radio show". IOL. January 30, 2015. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
- ^ "JUST IN: 5FM suspends two members from DJ Fresh team". News24. March 30, 2015. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
- ^ "Diqabang Scales The Charts To Highest". The Official South African Charts. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
