Listen to BBC interview with Sonti 

As a child I was always singing, be it at school or in church. We’d sing South African folk songs and gospel. Even in the chorus, all I ever wanted to do was sing lead like Miriam Makeba. My parents had lots of her records so I’d listen to them and model myself on her. My father also loved to sing. Even though he wasn’t a very good singer, he forced our church choir to take him on. He used to take me to musicals where I’d be transfixed by the lead performers. After the shows, I’d say to my father, ‘You see that singer, when I grow up I’m going to be like her’.

My parents weren’t keen on me being a professional musician. They wanted me to study and get a useful job. Unfortunately I couldn’t finish my studies because I fell pregnant. That was my passport to go into music because once I had my child, I couldn’t go back to school.

One evening in 1974, I was at a party where they were playing Miriam Makeba songs so I started singing. Little did I know that some of the guests were lead performers in ‘How Long’, the most popular South African musical of the time. They were so impressed by my voice that they came with me immediately to meet my parents and arrange for an audition. I was successful and that was the start of my professional career.

What do the songs in my album mean to me?

They are my way of sharing the joys and richness of Life and helping you through the worse parts. I've known great happiness in my life and I know that God teaches you to appreciate the good, and also tests your worthiness for it, by putting you face to face with so many challenges and much sadness. If Life is a journey then look on my music as a map telling you about its landmarks; the heights, the lows.