Berita - Biography, Career and Discography

Gugulethu Khumalo, known professionally as Berita, is a 33-year-old Zimbabwean-born singer, songwriter, and music producer. Her music blends soul with Afro Jazz, contemporary pop, and South African dance influences. Berita owns the independent record label Assali Music and founded Women of Music Business (WOMB), a pan-African organization dedicated to empowering women in the music industry.

Early Life and Education

Berita, born on June 27, 1991, in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, is the eldest of five siblings. Her early years were spent in Bulawayo and Zhombe, where her parents worked as teachers at Rio Tinto. She attended St Martin de Porres in Zhombe, Nketa Primary, and Greenfield Primary schools in Bulawayo. In 2007, her family relocated to New Zealand to escape Zimbabwe's economic and political challenges. Berita later moved to South Africa to study at Walter Sisulu University in the Eastern Cape.

Career

In 2012, Berita released her debut album, *Conquering Spirit*, which reached #1 on iTunes, achieved Gold Status from RISA, and won the Best African Pop Album award at the 2013 Metro FM Awards.

In 2014, she collaborated with Hugh Masekela and Oliver Mtukudzi on the single "Mwana Wa Mai," and in 2015, she released a remix of the track with Black Motion.

Her participation in Coke Studio in 2016 led to the release of the single "Vusu Yeke," a collaboration with rapper Yanga Chief.

Berita's single "Ezizweni" topped Metro FM’s Top 40 chart and Ukhozi FM’s Top 20 chart. Her debut single "Ndicel'ikiss" reached #21 on the Radio Monitor RAMS charts. She has also collaborated with Mobi Dixon on "Ezizweni" and Da Capo on "Found You."

In February 2020, she released her fourth studio album, *Songs in the Key of Love*, which won the Rest of Africa Award at the 27th South African Music Awards. The album's lead single "Jikizinto" hit #1 on the Radio Monitor charts, making her the first female solo independent artist to top the charts in the new decade. Her single "Ungandibulali," featuring the Ndlovu Youth Choir, also reached #1, spending three weeks at the top. The song was part of SABC's 'Do Not Turn A Blind Eye' campaign against GBV. Berita also collaborated with Amanda Black on the single "Siyathandana."

In fashion, she has worked with South African designers such as Athenkosi Mgundlwa, KISUA, and Rich Factory.

Berita has performed at notable festivals including the Bayimba International Festival in Uganda, Lake of Stars Festival, Jakaranda Music Festival in Zimbabwe, and the Cape Town Jazz Festival as part of Oliver Mtukudzi’s tribute concert.

On 27 May 2021, she was appointed to the board of the Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA).

Albums

Conquering Spirit (2012)

Songs of Empowerment (2014)

Berita (2017)

Songs in the Key of Love (2020)

Nominations

Zimbabwe Achievers Awards, 2016 - Music artist of the Year

Zimbabwe Achievers Awards, 2019 - Music artist of the Year

Zimbabwe Music Awards, 2021 - Best RNB & Soul

Zimbabwe Music Awards, 2021 - Best Album of the Year

Awards

Metro FM Music awards, 2013 - Best African pop album

South African Afro Music Awards, 2015 - Rising Star of the Year

Wawela Music Awards, 2015 - Songwriter of the Year

Eastern Cape Music Awards, 2016 - Best Female

South African Music Awards, 2021 - Rest of Africa Artist