Dalom Kids

The story of Dalom Kids begins not with the trio themselves, but with the restless creative energy of one man. Dan Tshanda, a Venda-born musician and producer from Tshiawelo in Soweto, had already built a formidable reputation through his band Splash when, in 1987, he assembled two of his backing vocalists, Petronella Rampou and Jacqueline Rotwana, and gave them a name drawn from his own nickname. The word ‘Dalom’ was what his friends had always called him, and now it belonged to something bigger.

In 1989, Dan added Martha Nzaima to the two girls to form the trio. Their debut album, ‘Mbalembala’, went double platinum almost immediately, an extraordinary achievement that announced the group as a serious force in South African popular music. Known for a unique blend of gospel-like chants and electronic disco, and singing primarily in Tswana, Dalom Kids carved out a sound that felt simultaneously devotional and dancefloor-ready, a combination that resonated deeply with township audiences across the country.

The momentum did not slow. ‘Mathambo’ followed in 1990, producing the beloved hit ‘Nomathemba. When Martha Nzaima departed due to the pressures of the industry, Magdeline Zungu stepped in without missing a beat. ‘Ndincedeni in 1991 achieved double platinum status, featuring the hit ‘God of Mercy’. In the middle of the pre-election violence, they released a message of forgiveness in the form of their album ‘Sixolele’ in 1992. ‘Ncedani’ in 1994 achieved gold status within a single week of release.

Tshanda produced 14 albums for the Dalom Kids across a career that spanned more than three decades, a partnership that endured until his death from heart failure on 5 January 2019, at the age of 54. The group has continued performing and recording since, earning a SAMA nomination for Best Afro Pop Album in 2025 and taking their music to audiences in the United Kingdom, proof that the spirit Dan Tshanda built has outlasted him considerably.