Mme Onica goes solo after leading famous church choir

From church choir roots to solo gospel force, Mme Onica says stepping out alone rewired her purpose, and the bookings followed.

Why going solo changed everything

• Mme Onica, born Setswoneng Onica Maruma, says her solo move reshaped her life.
• Even with the solo lane thriving, she still leads vocals at the International Pentecost Holiness Church headquarters.

Where she comes from

• She was born in Mamelodi and grew up in Turfloop, Limpopo.
• Her early environment shaped a voice built for church halls and big crowds.

How the solo work is landing

• She says feedback from listeners worldwide has been overwhelming.
• According to her, people regularly share how her songs shifted their lives.
• She credits guidance from Comforter FLG Modise during this chapter.

What fans can expect next

• She says a new single is lined up ahead of Good Friday.
• She also thanked supporters, promoters, and event organisers, keeping her calendar full.

How she views gospel music

• For her, gospel is not about performance energy or stage flair.
• She sees it as a channel that pulls people back toward their Maker.
• The goal, she says, is renewal, hope, and spiritual reset.

How her voice opened doors early

• Her first major industry break came through singing jingles on Thobela FM.
• That exposure locked in her reputation as a serious vocalist.
• In the late 1980s, she recorded a bubblegum album after being noticed at a South African Broadcasting Corporation event.

The moment her career pivoted

• In 2009, she was asked to lead the legendary International Pentecost Holiness Church Choir.
• She described the responsibility as grounding and deeply humbling.

What that role unlocked

• Leading the choir put her at the center of massive IPHC gatherings.
• She became the main voice at events attended by senior leaders and thousands of members.
• In 2010, she led the recording of the choir album Thaba ya Sione.

Clearing up the replacement talk

• She recorded alongside original lead singer Priscilla.
• At the time, Mme Emma had moved into solo work.
• Some assumed Mme Onica was replacing her, but she says she was continuing a legacy built over two decades.

Where things stand right now

• She continues releasing new albums and landing festival slots.
• In 2025, she teamed up with producer Tshego AMG on the album A kgalemela.
• She says fan and media reception has been strong, and the love during live shows keeps her grounded.