Bongeziwe-Isizathu (03:50)

Bongeziwe was born in Tsolo, a small town in a rural area of South Africa. From very early on he was interested in music. He began learning the guitar when he was 17 and studied theatre at the AFDA cinema school in Johannesburg. During his student years, he became more and more devoted to music and started writing songs. He even gave a few solo concerts, developing his own particular style.  

Influenced by artists like Tracy Chapman and Lauryn Hill, as well as the South-African Simphiwe Dana and the Zimbabwean guitar-player Oliver Mtukudzi, Bongeziwe founded a group which played afro-folk music sung in English or xhosa. At the beginning he was hardly interested in his xhosa roots at all, a culture in which music essentially played a part in ceremonies, but he gradually came to realise that it was an important part of his identity. He has always made the most of his life experiences and his own personal journey to write his music, which is a fusion between traditional xhosa music and soul, hip-hop and dub styles. Today Bongeziwe looks to create music which is accessible and which people can identify with.

Since 2006, Bongeziwe has appeared on different stages, often taking part in poetry sessions. He has been seen in countless artistic events from Durban to East London, Pretoria to Johannesburg. He has shared the limelight with artists like 340ML, Thandiswa Mazwai, Tumi and Experience Kwani to name but a few. His music has also been used for films and TV series.

Bongeziwe-Wandezanina (03:40)

At the end of 2008, Bongeziwe released a first EP entitled Umlilo, a disc produced by Paulo Chibanga, the drummer for 340ML, Tumi and the Volume. The album of the same name came out soon afterwards and united many South-African artists such as Zulu-Boy, MXO, Kyla Rose Smith of Freshlyground and  NOSISi, ex-singer of Experience Kwani.

At 26, Bongeziwe Mabandla’s music is peaceful and harmonious, revealing a strong artistic sensibility.

Translation: Caroline Preller

Bongeziwe Mabandla's website