South African folk singer, Bongeziwe Mabandla
Image: Instagram/@Bongeziwemabandla
With less than two weeks away from Cape Town International Jazz Festival, fans are eagerly anticipating Africa' grandest gathering. With over twenty acts announced, amongst them is South Africa's beloved Xhosa folk singer Bongeziwe Mabandla.
Having graced our screens from a young age - Mabandla is no stranger to the world of entertainment, starting out his career as a presenter and actor he expanded his artistry into music, releasing his first album "Umlilo" in 2012. Fast forward 13 years later and four albums under his belt, an impressive discography with hit singles and award winning albums. Bongeziwe has cemented his presence as one of the leading folk singers in Africa, to celebrate what will be his first performance at this year's CPIJF - we have curated a list of his outstanding music catalogue.
Bongeziwe Mabandla's first album "Umlilo" released in 2012
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Produced alongside drummer and musical mentor Paolo Chibanga, Umlilo was the beginning of Mabandla's journey towards becoming one of South Africa’s most celebrated and innovative alternative artists. " Umlilo" is about identity, a personal album, that allowed Mabandla to recognise who he was in the new South African context. The collection showcased his refreshing blend of poignant Xhosa lyrics and traditional sounds. A significant album that kicked off his incredible lustrous career in the music industry.
Bongeziwe Mabandla's second studio album "Mangaliso"
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Released in 2017, the 10-track record is a sumptuous listen that spotlights Mabandla’s artistic growth. Mangaliso boost hit single such as "Ndokulandedela", in 2018 "Mangaliso" received the best Alternative album of the year at the SAMA awards. This album solidified his presence, his songwiting approach highlighted his journey while experimenting with his sound in different ways, earning him respect from his musical peers.
"iimini" Mabandla's third studio album
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On iimini, Bongeziwe Mabandla charts the path of a relationship with as much flux as his musical journey. He and producer Tiago Correia-Paulo fuse folk and electronic music, and traditional sounds with experimental inclinations.
Mabandla's fourth album "amaXesha" released in 2023
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Bongeziwe Mabandla’s fourth studio album expands on the theme of love which he explored in his third, 2020’s iimini. In this, the 14 songs that make up amaXesha are an exceptional, soul-baring contribution to the age-old canon of love songs that tell the stories of this most essential of human experience. He deeply explores on the theme with raw emotion and relatable interpretation of the fluctuations of love.