Born in the United States to South African parents, she was raised in Hackney, London.

The collaboration continues to this day, and led to her supporting fellow Basement Jaxx singer Sam Sparro on his tour.

In 2007, she sang lead vocals on BBC South's re-recording of the hymn "Amazing Grace", created to help mark the 200 years since the passing of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act.

In 2019, she collaborated as featured artist with English DJ Riton and Dutch producer Oliver Heldens on the song "Turn Me On", which interpolates "Doctor Love" by First Choice and "Don't Go" by Yazoo.

[3] Malinga performed live at Trevor Nelson's Soul Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall in 2019.