[1] Her rise to stardom came in 2011 following the release of her third album, Ina Ethe, which was certified double platinum and was nominated at the 18th South African Music Awards.
Her father, Vuyisile Dikana, was a drummer for a group called Black Slave and the Flamingo while her late stepmother Anneline Malebo was a singer for a musical band known as Joy.
She is an alumna of the University of the Free State, from where she graduated with a degree in human resource management in 1997.
[9] During Zonke's early years as a singer, Chippa introduced her to several artists, including Ringo, Joe Nina and Deborah Fraser, who she worked with either in writing or vocal capabilities.
Zonke had her big break when she wrote a song titled "Africa, My Motherland" for the band Jazzkantine, based in Germany.
[19] In an interview with Katlego Mkhwanazi of The Mail & Guardian, Zonke said that the album was inspired by everything that happened to her.
was nominated for Album of the Year, Female Artist of the Year and won Best R&B/Soul Album at the 25th annually ceremony [28][29] Zonke embarked on Zonke: The Evergreen In Concert on February 19 in Cape Town, Grand Arena, GrandWest; the tour included 10 dates that ran through to February 29.
[36] To further promote the album Zonke announced 3 dates national tour commerced on April 29 at the Grand Arena, Cape Town.
[39] Her musical influences include Busi Mhlongo, Miriam Makeba and Brenda Fassie.
[40] In July 2014, Zonke was announced as one of three celebrities to act as judges in the first episode of the X Factor SA which was broadcast on SABC 1 between September and December 2014.