Durban’s queen of the decks, DJ Cndo, real name Sindisiwe Zungu, has opened up about her mysterious hiatus from the music scene, revealing it was a deliberate move to protect her mental health.
The Mandeni-born superstar spoke about her time away from the spotlight, her bond with DJ Tira, and her bold new ventures.
“It is okay to step back when you do not feel like yourself,” DJ Cndo said during an interview with Sunday World.
“A lot of the times, people in the industry struggle with stuff that we do not talk about. And I am going to say depression is real.
Self care is necessary
“Not to say I was depressed, but I understand it better because one day you are out there, killing it. And then when you are alone, there is that sense of loneliness. It is okay to take a break and come back when you are good,” said the Ngisemathandweni hitmaker.
Squashing rumours about her exit from Afrotainment, the record label owned by DJ Tira, Cndo set the record straight.
“There were assumptions that were made about me leaving the label. But I can confirm that I am still with the label. I am grateful to DJ Tira for understanding whatever phase that I was going through. I do not regret taking a break; it was good for me and my mental health.”
The jock said she was not chilling during her sabbatical; she turned entrepreneur.
“I had to make sure that life continues with or without the music. But I was also investing in myself to allow growth with time,” she revealed.
Business ventures
“I opened a salon called Medusa Hair Salon. And we catered to celebrities when they were in Durban for big events like Durban July.”
Unfortunately, the salon on Smith Street in Durban’s CBD couldn’t weather the storm of the Covid-19 pandemic. It ended up shutting its doors.
She stated that she is still making a living through gigs.
“I am not as busy as I was during my peak. However, I would get bookings now and again.”
Her secret to riding out the quiet times was stashing cash from her glory days.
“Saving money helped me. During my peak I would get a lot of bookings, and that money was saved for dry days,” she said.
On her personal life, Cndo said she is still not married, and God has not blessed her with a bundle of joy.
“If it happens, great, but for now, I am just enjoying my life,” she chuckled.
Reflecting on her trailblazing 20-year career, she celebrated smashing the glass ceiling in a male-dominated industry.
Breaking barriers
“We came in when the space was male-dominated, and we had to create our own; it was not easy. But we proved to ourselves that we can do what the men were doing, and even better.”
Cndo also teased a sizzling comeback. She admitted she used her time off to evolve with the ever-changing music scene.
“Music sounds are not like they were when we started in the industry. So I had to learn, improve, and add to the sound that my supporters know me for. My supporters have been complaining that they do not see me or hear any new music from me. But I promise them that I am busy with an EP; it will be out soon.”
