13/03/2026
🫶🏼 thank you
MINY TEE IS THE TINY TITAN TAKING OVER THE TURN TABLES
By Gcwalisile Mhlabane
EZULWINI – In a male-dominated industry where many are judged by their stature before they even touch a fader, Thandeka Ginindza—affectionately known as Miny Tee—is proving that dynamite truly comes in small packages.
Born and raised in the lush valley of Ezulwini, the DJ, dancer, and vocalist is no longer just "the girl behind the decks"; she is a rising force making a loud statement in Eswatini’s entertainment scene.
For Miny Tee, music is not just a career choice—it is a birthright. The daughter of the legendary DJ Xtra Luv, she grew up watching her father command crowds, a sight she describes as the definition of cool. "I wanted to be that girl, you know? Be that girl, nje," she says, reflecting on how she fell in love with music as an escape during her youth.
While her unofficial lessons began years ago, her true baptism by fire came in 2018 at a club in Manzini. Her father, who remains her greatest motivator, put her behind the decks in front of a live crowd. Though she admits she was terrified and "not that good" at the time, that moment of fear sparked a serious fire. Today, she isn’t just playing music; she is outperforming veterans. "I know that there are male and female DJs who are intimidated by me and labanye ngyabahlula (I beat some of them)," she says candidly.
While she started with Deep House, Miny Tee eventually found her soul in Amapiano, a move fueled by her history as a dancer. To her, DJing and dancing are not separate entities; they co-exist.
Her sets are known for a "rare aura" that leaves audiences hooked, a phenomenon she witnessed firsthand during a standout set at Mdzimba View. Despite her growing prowess, she remains grounded. "I dislike kutiphakamisa (self-exaltation). I could tell you that I'm the best, but experience another thing, then what? I would rather show you what I have, and you be the judge," she explains.
However, the journey has not been without its thorns. As a young female artist, Miny Tee faces the double-edged sword of being "the child" in the room. Many DJs in the industry were groomed by her father, and she feels some still look down on her because of her age and gender. "Vele I didn't come here to play," she asserts, noting that while some see her as just a "pikinini," she knows she is a serious competitor.
The biggest hurdle, however, is the lack of professional compensation. A recent graduate without a stable income, she highlights a growing trend of exploitation where promoters hide behind the veil of "promotion" to avoid paying artists. "What do you mean you book me once and the second time you still say you're promoting me? It doesn't make sense. I still don't have a stable income, and I'll have to sort out my transport and food," she questions. It is a frustration shared by many, but Miny Tee refuses to beg. She draws inspiration from Eswatini’s global export, Uncle Waffles, noting that there was a time when gigs were scarce for the star, but now she is unreachable.
Miny Tee is more than just a performer; she is a testament to the grit and professional ambition required to thrive in Eswatini's evolving creative economy. By blending her ancestral musical roots with a modern, "beast mode" work ethic, she is not just asking for a seat at the table—she is building her own.
As she sets her sights on international stages like Konka and Coachella, one thing is certain: the world will soon be the judge of the light she carries. "Submit everything to God, then do it, man," she says. "I'm here to make a statement."
(📸 Courtesy Pic)
