From as far back as she can remember, she has been writing songs and singing in school choirs.
Music has always been her safe space; a place where she can be alone and gather her thoughts.
Not only this, but it has also been the best friend that Omhle Ndiki's never had.
“I’ve always communicated through music and that’s when I knew it’s my passion. Thandiswa Mazwai’s songs (Ibokwe and Ingoma) have always sparked something in me,” she says.
Omhle is a 22-year-old rising star who lost her father at a young age but ensured that she carries him everywhere she goes with her stage name – Omhle Diya.
“Omhle means beauty, it’s a manifestation of my dreams of wanting everything I embark on to be beautiful, it also represents my mom, who makes this journey of life beautiful for me. Diya is my clan name. It represents my late father whom I always feel is with me in spirit, supporting and protecting me.”
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The bold vocalist says she’s always known that she’d be a musician.
“It was a matter of timing. As much as I faced challenges within the industry, I knew one day I’ll get my break. It’s really not easy for a female artist to be taken seriously if you don’t have any connections or experience within the industry. My mom has always believed and pushed me to pursue my dreams. She always reminds me of when I graduated from pre-school and they were asking ‘What do we want to be when we grow up’, I boldly said ‘I’m going to be a superstar’.”
Growing up, she was always on stage either performing, dancing or modelling.
When she eventually started making music professionally last year and released her debut single, Thando Lwami, her biggest goal was for people to relate with her music from the most authentic place possible. She wanted her music to heal, bring hope and happiness.
Although she is not where she’d like to be yet, she acknowledges that she’s on the right path.
“I’m honestly still trying to find my feet, I’m in a space of gratitude for all the achievements thus far. I’ve grown so much as a vocalist and that has led me to collaborate with big artists that will be revealed soon.”
Her biggest lesson thus far is that “You can’t compete with destiny, if it’s your time, collaborations and your presence will be known effortlessly. It requires patience.”
As versatile as she is, for her, eventually working with her role model Thandiswa Mazwai and Kabza de Small, Maphorisa, Kelvin Momo and Beyonce would be a dream come true.
“I’d love to explore radio, have my own TV Show, my own skin brand and collaborate with other brands. I believe there’s so much wisdom embedded in me that I can share with the world.”
Even with her music career in full swing, the Cape Town born musician wishes that she could finish her law degree in these good old days.
At the moment, she works as a voice over artist at a media company, does events and projects while building her own empire with the start of her Noa Khanya record label.
Through the questions and scares that she still has of her father’s passing, the young artist has managed to express herself uniquely through music.
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In her newest single to drop on Friday, 20 October 2023, she takes listeners through yet another tough patch in her life where she was in desperate need of a breakthrough in the music industry.
From the title ‘Angisakhoni’, one could tell that she was ready to give up on it all.
“Most people used to judge me based on my looks and automatically feel I want pretty privileges, yet it is my passion. On that day I was going through emotions about life and the song came about to say kwanele (it’s enough) about my situation, it’s enough of these tears and pain. I can’t no more. Little did I know this is the song that will bring me the collaboration I was looking for.
“I featured Mlindo as he is a soulful and a versatile singer himself. I’ve always loved his music and vocal abilities. I honestly think this song was divinely orchestrated. I remember vividly that day I was crying and wanted to go back home, I did not even feel like recording. It took my music mentor Sfiso who just came in the car happy to see me, greeted me and said we must go inside. The beat is emotional yet has a dancing beat, that’s what I wanted. The beat allowed me to find my voice, a space to release and express my emotions.”
Now that it has come together beautifully, she can’t wait for everyone to hear and warmly receive it on Friday.
