Online Reporter
Gift Moyo, [email protected]
UK-based Zimbabwean DJ Daphfinee, born Daphine Nyoni, is carving her name on the international music scene, using her talent, versatility and passion to fly the country’s flag high.
The rising DJ recently showcased her skills at the internationally acclaimed AfroNation festival in Portugal, joining a growing list of Zimbabwean creatives making their mark beyond the country’s borders.
Born in Zimbabwe, Nyoni spent the first nine years of her life in the country before relocating to the United Kingdom with her family. Despite leaving at a young age, she says Zimbabwe remains a major influence in her life, shaping her identity, values and creative expression.
“I was born in Zimbabwe and spent the first nine years of my life there. Those early years played an important role in shaping who I am today, from the values I learnt to the culture, traditions and experiences that became part of my identity,” she said.
Nyoni said she makes an effort to return home every year to reconnect with family, friends and her roots.
“I make sure to return to Zimbabwe every year to spend time with my family and friends, reconnect with the people, and stay connected to my roots. Every visit brings back memories and reminds me of the warmth of the people, the richness of the culture, food and the experiences that shaped my childhood,” she said.
Her journey behind the decks began just over two years ago. Nyoni said she had to build her career from the ground up, spending countless hours perfecting her craft, exploring different genres and learning how to connect with audiences.
“I’ve officially been DJing for just over two years, and the journey has been both exciting and challenging. Like most people starting out, I had to build everything from the ground up. There were long hours spent practising, learning different genres, understanding how to read a crowd and constantly improving my skills,” she said.
She added that consistency and resilience have been key to her growth as an artist.
“In the beginning, I took every opportunity I could to perform because I knew that every set was a chance to grow. It wasn’t always easy, and there were moments when things moved slower than I had hoped, but I stayed consistent and trusted the process.
“Looking back, those early experiences shaped me into the DJ I am today. They taught me discipline, resilience and the importance of always giving your best, no matter the size of the audience,” she said.
Her biggest breakthrough came when she was selected to perform at AfroNation Portugal, held from July 3 to 5, where she shared the stage with some of the biggest names in African music, including Uncle Waffles, Kelvin Momo, Nkosazana Daughter and Zee Nxumalo.
For Nyoni, the festival was more than just another performance, it was an opportunity to represent Zimbabwe on one of the world’s biggest music platforms.
“Performing at AfroNation was one of the biggest highlights of my career so far. The energy from the crowd was incredible, and sharing a stage at one of the world’s biggest music festivals with some of the biggest names in the scene was an unforgettable experience.
“What made it even more special was knowing that I was representing Zimbabwe on such a global platform. Seeing people from different countries connect through music reminded me why I fell in love with DJing in the first place,” she said.
Nyoni proudly carried the Zimbabwean flag during her performance. Although based in the UK, she remains connected to the local music scene and hopes to bring her international experience back home.
She revealed that plans are underway for a Zimbabwe tour, with possible performances lined up in Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls.
“Zimbabwe is home, and performing there has always been part of my vision. I made my debut in Zimbabwe over the Christmas period in 2025 and it was unforgettable.
“No matter where my career takes me internationally, I’ll always want to come back and perform for the people who share my roots,” she said.
Beyond DJing, Nyoni is also working towards becoming a music producer, a move she believes will allow her to develop a unique sound and artistic identity.
“My main focus is DJing, but I’ve recently started learning and working in the studio with some great music producers. It’s something I’ve always wanted to explore because I want to eventually create original music that reflects my own sound and identity as an artist.
“I’m taking my time with the learning process because I want to build a strong foundation and develop my skills properly. I’m also working on releasing music in collaboration with local Zimbabwean producers,” she said.
Interestingly, Nyoni’s creative journey runs alongside an equally demanding academic achievement – she holds a degree in medicine, a qualification she says has strengthened her approach to music.
“I’m what they describe as a multifaceted person. I’m very proud of that achievement because it reflects another side of who I am.
“Medicine taught me discipline, resilience and the importance of hard work, qualities that have also helped me in my career as a DJ. I don’t see medicine and music as opposites. Both are meaningful in different ways,” she said.
