After five albums with Bongo Maffin, Thandiswa ventured onto a solo career. Her first project, "Zabalaza" (2004), reached double platinum status and won numerous awards, including a Kora award for Best African Female and four South African Music Awards, including Best Album. It was also nominated for the BBC Radio 3 Planet awards. Her second album, "Ibokwe" (2009), reached gold status in the first few weeks of its release and her live DVD, "Dance of the Forgotten Free" (2010), won Best Female Artist and Best Live DVD in 2011. "The Guardian" has called her "South Africa's finest female contemporary singer."