Born in Frankfort in the Free State, Zamajobe Sithole grew up in Vosloorus, east of Joburg and sang in the local choir from the age of nine. Her early musical mentor was acclaimed gospel artist, Pastor Benjamin Dube. Zamajobe nagged her father for a guitar and started to write her own material. In 2003, she competed in the Pop Idols TV talent search, where made it through to the final 10 and built her own profile in the process.