Three years after dropping her debut single, Mma Oshima has made her mark on the local Traditional music scene, bringing a new spark to the genre and gaining over 62, 000 Facebook followers in the process. Famous for her energetic dance moves and motivational lyrics, the ever-smiling Tonota songstress prides herself on putting on a show, often performing in either Zulu culture wear, or hosanna and tsutsube attire. The mother-of-two, real name, Oratile Ratie Setimela, is also a model, who some Voice readers might recognize from her appearances on Page 3.
This year, Mma Oshima was selected as a top 20 upcoming artist by the Department of Broadcasting Services during their national road show, eventually finishing in 10th position. We catch up with the bubbly beauty fresh from dropping a new single..
. Why the name Mma Oshima? Mma Oshima is a beautiful defined lady staying in Tonota, quality ya bakhurutshi ba bina phohu. I was given this name by Malome Biki, my mentor and producer.
The name was chosen by him because before I started singing alone, I was his backing vocalist and dancer and one of his songs that I backed for was about Oshima. He then started calling me Oshima and I loved it too. When I went solo, I decided to use it.
Tell us about your time in music. I joined back in 2019 when I was a backing vocalist and dancer for Malome Biki. But I loved traditional songs when I was still in primary school.
In 2021, I released a single called ‘Ke apeile ka sopo’ which made it.