Long before Cici became a household name with hits like Hamba, Ndidinge, and her latest chart-topper Amen featuring Naledi Aphiwe, her journey in music was a relentless pursuit. Every step was driven by determination, countless sacrifices, and a deep belief that music was where she truly belonged.
“I went to every audition I could find—Idols, Coca-Cola Popstars, and even an Afrikaans singing competition,” she recalls, laughing before belting out the lyrics with infectious energy. “I just wanted the music,” she adds, her voice full of conviction, a testament to the deep love she has for her craft.
A decade later, Cici has reframed this journey as a return to self.
“For so many years, I had too many people in my ear who knew nothing about who I am and who I wanted to be. I felt like we were pulling in different directions,” she explains, reflecting on how external pressures diluted her vision and stifled her passion.
The constant push and pull of being shaped into an artist that didn’t align with her true self caused immense frustration, slowly eroding her identity. Coming from a cabaret background of showmanship only amplified the challenge.
“It felt as though I was watching a part of me slowly dying. A complete loss of self, to a point where I began hating the art and creating music. Going to the studio felt like a drag, and my safe space became such a daunting idea,” she shares.
Her mental health also took a hit. “Sometimes this industry just takes and takes and takes. I kept giving to the gift, but the gift wasn’t giving back to me. I couldn’t handle it anymore,” she admits.
Cici, real name Busisiwe Thwala, broke into the industry at 28—an age often considered mature enough to navigate the spotlight—but she remembers how gullible and impressionable she was.
“My first album cover told that story. It’s a picture of myself as a child, representing how I felt—like a child entering the industry. The lollipop was the dream that was sold to me. I believed people always had the purest intentions, and when I started, I was really a ‘Jimmy comes to Joburg’,” she laughs.
It was only when she dared to step away from the safe and familiar and embrace the unknown that she reclaimed her freedom. Realising that she is the talent who brings the music—and that her worth is non-negotiable—made all the difference.
“Creatives in general are made to feel like we are begging for a spot when we are the reason for the music. We need to start stepping into that power,” she asserts.
Her latest album released as an independent artist, Busisiwe 2.0, is a reflection of hoer refusal to be boxed. This body of work blends Afropop, Amapiano, Gospel, and even Afrobeats, showcasing her versatility and fearlessness.
Intentionality defines this new phase of her life as an independent artist. From the messaging to the overall feel of the album, Cici has taken full control, shaping the direction of her brand with purpose and clarity.
“I never want to be boxed,” she affirms—a statement that resonates not just with the music but with her renewed sense of self.
Now, Cici is more empowered than ever—living in a moment of release, exhaling all she had kept locked inside, and finally breathing freely.
“Busisiwe 2.0 is my first number 1 album that I have ever made in my music career. It is a great sign that of you believe in your dream and work towards it, you will be gratified at the end of it all.”
A journey
“My journey has taught me that no one knows your dream better than you. It will take you to make it happen, to succeed in it,” she said.
