Zanele Manhenga is a talented singer, songwriter and poet who began her journey as a child singing at family gatherings together with her older sister, afro-jazz artist Dudu Manhenga.
She has also appeared numerous times as a performer and an MC at the Sistaz Open Mic, a Pamberi Trust initiative to give young and upcoming female artists a platform to enter the mainstream of the arts in Harare. In addition to the open Mic sessions she has attended several grooming workshops under the gender project F.L.A.M.E. This has contributed to her growth and confidence along her musical journey.
Zanele has performed, recorded, toured and been mentored by Dudu Manhenga and Color Blu in South Africa and Mozambique. She has also performed as a background vocalist for many artists including Pastor Gee, Ignatious Mabasa, Ronny Roots, Bob Nyabinde, Jeys Marabini, Lwazi Shabangu, Cool Crooners to mention but a few. With these and other artists she has performed at Harare International Festival of the Arts HIFA (2007), Beira Jazz festival (Mozambique 2009), Harare Jazz Festival 2010-2012, Grahamstown Arts Festival (South Africa 2009-2010), October Jazz (2011-2014) and Bob Marley Commemoration (2012)
In 2011 Zanele Manhenga studied for a National Certificate in Musicology at the Zimbabwe College of Music where she trained with various instruments including the Mbira and traditional Zimbabwe dance among other subjects.
Zanele released a single online called Nginje in 2013.
In 2014 Zanele Manhenga was signed by 10th District Music and joined Nobuntu. She has since contributed songs on the latest Nobuntu album EKHAYA. She is the Mbira player of the group, a singer and songwriter.