18-07-2025
Ukhozi FM's DJ Zeal on radio career and opening Tshuza restaurant
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She is known for her deep and enthralling voice that permeates the airwaves on Ukhozi FM every week when she hosts Fakumoya from 8 PM to 12 AM on Friday nights.
After helping many businesses thrive for many years, DJ Zeal, whose given name is Zandile Dladla, has become a businesswoman herself with the recent opening of her restaurant Tshuza in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
She says the business has been in the making for many years, and she's grateful that she's finally able to see the idea come to pass.
Speaking to Drum, the radio jock says she is excited to finally be able to become a restaurant owner.
'I've helped many other restaurants as a consultant in the past years, and now I've opened my own since June 2025 this year - it's picking up nicely. My favourite thing is hosting events with lots of food and great music- those two things go well together. It's an exciting journey that takes hard work and dedication, but I am here to ensure Tshuza grows and touches people's lives with beautiful memories and quality service,' she explains.
In a strategic move, she seized the opportunity with the recent Durban July that was held in her city.
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'We hosted the first Tshuza Durban July weekend with the opening of Monday Blues, which was aimed at serving people who had attended the Durban July, and needed some pick-me-up food. My colleagues Thee Dynamite and DJ Mshengu fr Ukhozi were present to support me at the event,' she says.
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Although this is her second month running the business, she has made strides, and this can easily be attributed to her ebullient personality, which resonates with her desired demographics.
'The kitchen/ restaurant is called Tshuza - and it is situated at Clairwood on Coast Road, which is a main road. It's been two months of serving delicious traditional food, we deliver, we do events, and we do catering too, and so far, business has been very good. I've received tremendous support, and for that I'm grateful,' she says.
She may be a fully fledged businesswoman, but she hasn't toned down from her other passions, such as doing private gigs and being an MC. Contrary to popular belief, DJ Zeal still does everything she did before her business venture.
'I still MC and DJ, people think that I don't provide those services anymore because I own a restaurant not true - I still love radio, I still consult and MC for events, I still take bookings to DJ,' she sets the record straight.
