From captivating audiences during the controversial Big Brother Mzansi season four to becoming one of South Africa’s brightest young music talents, Liema Pantsi is living proof that dreams do come true. At just 23 years old, the fast-rising star has already earned recognition many artists only dream of, winning Songwriter of the Year and Collaboration of the Year at the Basadi in Music Awards, and delivering a show-stopping performance at DJ Zinhle’s Zee Nation Fest.
Speaking about the impact of her wins, Liema told TRUELOVE:
“These awards just validated me in such a huge way. This is literally proof that I should keep going — there’s people that love my music, love me, and want to see me do this. So, ja, I have no excuses at all.”
Liema first became a household name in South Africa through Big Brother Mzansi, where her bubbly personality and fearless energy won her a loyal fanbase. But even then, her mission was clear: to use the platform as a stepping stone for her music career.
“When I went to Big Brother, I went there to promote myself musically and to put myself out there so that when I come out I have an audience. Shout out to Cici for taking me after Big Brother and featuring me on a song — that gave me an opportunity for people to actually see me as an artist as well,” she recalled.
Her hit songs Amahloni, Hlala Nami, and the award-winning collaboration Impumelelo with Cici have cemented her place in amapiano, but Liema is determined not to be boxed in.
“I started off being an R&B girlie, neo soul – strictly neo soul and R&B. But because we are in South Africa… right now I’m also trying to find myself in other sounds as well. I’m being versatile, working on piano sounds, Afrobeat sounds, just trying to find who I really am in the music scene,” she explained.
Just a year ago, Liema was still a student in the Eastern Cape. Today, her life has drastically transformed.
“The change was drastic because coming from the Eastern Cape, I had to move here, come hustle here. I would say it’s a really big change because I really was just a student, and now I’m a superstar,” she reflected.
With dreams of collaborating with stars like Shekhinah, Wizkid, and Tems, plus more music in the works, Liema Pantsi is only getting started — and her future promises to be even brighter.
