Bongeziwe Mabandla
Bongeziwe Mabandla | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Tsolo, Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| Genres | Electronic folk |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Labels |
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Bongeziwe Mabandla is a South African musician based in Johannesburg, predominantly playing folk music with lyrics in isiXhosa, accompanied by a guitar.
Early life[]
Mabandla grew up in the rural Eastern Cape, in a small town called Tsolo. He grew up singing in church and music was a part of his home and school life. He moved to Johannesburg to continue his studies at AFDA, The School for the Creative Economy. Here he explored an expression of musical storytelling.
Career[]
Recorded in 2012, Mabandla's debut album, Umlilo,[1] caught the attention of Radio France Internationale Discoveries Awards, where he was named one of the Top 10 finalists in 2011. His second album, Mangaliso, was released in 2017[2] and expanded from the traditional Afro-Folk sound that Mabandla had become known for. With far more significant reach, the album earned Mabandla a SAMA (South African Music Awards) nomination for 2018 Best Alternative Album. The music video for the single "Bawo Bam" featured Spoek Mathambo, and received awards at the 2018 Capital City Black Film Awards and at the 2019 Jozi Film Fest.[3] Since the release of these two albums, Mabandla has performed on stages and at festivals across the world. This includes Reeperbahn Festival, WOMEX and Lake of Stars Festival Malawi.[4]
His latest studio album, iiMini, was released on 27 March 2020.[5]
iiMini went on to win Bongeziwe his second SAMA award for the Best Alternative Album, at the 2021 awards.
Discography[]
- Umlilo (2012)
- Mangaliso (2017)
- iiMini (2020)
Singles[]
Yise (feat. Synapson)[]
In the song, Mabandla paints a picture of the hardships of growing up without his father and how it has made him a stronger person.
"The song looks at the effect that growing up without a father has had on my life. It is a constant journey of understanding the impact that this has had on my journey and I am thankful to have had a chance to explore it on this track. This song is super strong and very personal." —Bongeziwe Mabandla
Tours[]
Mangaliso Tour (2018)[]
| Date | Event | City |
|---|---|---|
| 22 September 2018 | Festival Boreal | Canarias, Spain |
| 28 September 2018 | It's Personal: With Bongeziwe Mabandla | Soweto, Johannesburg |
| 17 October 2018 | MaMA Festival and Convention | Paris, France |
| 18 October 2018 | Le Pediluve | Chatenay Malabry, France |
| 20 October 2018 | Le VIP | Saint-Nazaire, France |
| 21 October 2018 | 6 PAR 4 | Laval, France |
| 24 October 2018 | Bongeziwe Mabandla with Nakhane | , France |
| 26 October 2018 | La Péniche | Chalon Sur Saône, France |
| 27 October 2018 | La Chabada | Angers, France |
iiMini Tour (2020)[]
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this tour was postponed indefinitely.[6]
References[]
- ^ Business Day
- ^ Mail & Guardian
- ^ Jozi Film Festival
- ^ Songlines
- ^ Department, World Music Central News. "South African Artist Bongeziwe Mabandla to Release iimini | World Music Central.org". Retrieved 21 July 2020.
- ^ "Interview: Bongeziwe Mabandla's New Album Is a Calm Meditation On Relationships". OkayAfrica. 6 April 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
- Xhosa-language singers
- People from the Eastern Cape
- South African singer-songwriters
- Living people