Mandla Lande – African drums, percussion (jembe/congas), vocals, dance/acrobatics. Born on 30 May 1962, in Langa, Mandla Lande means ‘power’ and is the name given…
Artist Profiles: Mandla Lande
Tag: South Africa
Artist Profiles: Blackie Zandisile Mbizela
Blackie Zandisile Mbizela – Bass marimba, percussion, vocals, dance. Blackie Zandisile Mbizela was born on 27 December 1961, in Langa. ‘Zandisile’ has no direct English…
Artist Profiles: Nondzondelelo Fancy Galada
Born in 1970 in Langa, Nondzondelelo Fancy Galada started singing a repertoire of mainly African choral music at the age of eleven with the Thembani…
Artist Profiles: Lulu Lungiswa Plaatjies
Dizu Plattajies’ niece, Lulu Lungiswa Plaatjies was born in 1973 and has performed with Amampondo since the age of nine. She appeared on the first…
Artist Profiles: Amampondo
Amampondo was formed in 1979 by Dizu ‘Zungulu’ Plaatjies, and was originally made up of seven young men from the same neighborhood in Langa Township,…
Artist Profiles: Bakithi Kumalo
South African composer, vocalist, and bassist Bakithi Kumalo (Bah-gee-tee Koomah-low) first came to the attention of the American public following the release of Paul Simon’s…
Artist Profiles: Brenda Fassie
Over a career of 21 remarkable years, Brenda Fassie – or Ma Brrr as she was affectionately known by her fans – delivered everything that…
South Africa’s Afrika Mamas to perform live at New Orleans Essence Festival 2017
The 7-piece all-female a capella group Afrika Mamas from South Africa will appear live at New Orleans Essence Festival 2017 (June 29-July 2) together with…
Artist Profiles: Busi Mhlongo
”I was always singing. At school, after school. I was the laziest one in my family because I just didn’t have time, my time was…
World Music Stars Vusi Mahlasela and Habib Koité Announce USA Tour
The Acoustic Africa Tour returns to the United States of America with two of the finest live world music acts from Africa, Malian musician Habib…