DJ Thandeezy: Rising South African Amapiano DJ Spinning Her Way to the Top
DJ Thandeezy building momentum to becoming the best on the decks. (Supplied)
by Nosipho Mnyandu
A 25-year-old Charmaine Thandeka Sphenuka “DJ Thandeezy”, is making waves as one of South Africa’s rising female DJs. Born and raised in Brits, North West, she grew up under the guidance of her grandparents, whose strict discipline like the rule to “be home when the streetlights come on” shaped her grounded character and determination.
Although she holds a diploma in Sports Management Science from the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) and comes from a sport-driven family, Thandeezy’s passion was always music. In 2023, she officially stepped behind the decks, and through hard work and persistence, she is steadily building her brand in the competitive world of South African DJs.
One of her biggest career highlights came with the release of her debut track, Lesedi, which she performed live at the 2024 Zee Nation Fest. The performance earned her recognition as a promising amapiano DJ to watch. Thandeezy later featured a mixtape on Free Motion, a popular music show on DStv’s One Gospel (Channel 331), a moment she proudly describes as a turning point in her career.
Finding her identity as a DJ has been both challenging and rewarding. For Thandeezy, staying true to her style is non-negotiable. “I try to keep my music authentic. Not every trending track makes it to my playlist. I read the energy of the crowd, and their vibe directs me. These days I don’t even prepare sets anymore; it all flows from their response,” explained DJ Thandeezy.
Thandeezy sets are rooted in amapiano and soulful house, but she also experiments with bacardi and lekompo, adding versatility to her sound. This ability to mix genres while staying true to her brand is helping her gain traction across local audiences.
While her focus is currently on dominating South Africa’s music scene, DJ Thandeezy dreams of expanding onto global stages. For her, music is not just about entertainment but about creating an experience that resonates deeply with people.
“Music for me is not just entertainment, it is a journey I am determined to share with the world, one beat at a time,” she said.
With her discipline, passion, and unique sound, DJ Thandeezy is fast becoming one of South Africa’s most exciting names in amapiano and house music and she’s only just getting started.
