By Darran Mabuza
As Heritage Month gets underway, we take a peek into the new single of Zawadi Yamungu, whose real name is Nkosingiphile Mpanza, an award-winning musician, indigenous instrumentalist, composer and arranger.
Born in Mandeni, on the North Coast, and later moved to Inanda in Durban, Yamungu’s artistry is deeply rooted in her rich cultural background. She is an adept indigenous instrumentalist, mastering the umakhweyane, ugubhu, and the pennywhistle. “Zawadi Yamungu is Swahili for a gift from God, which I believe is a direct translation of my name,” she said.
Her latest hit, Ngimuhle, which means I am beautiful, has made her more of a household name. The song pays tribute to the resilient spirit and rich heritage of South African indigenous cultures.
She recounted the origins of Ngimuhle, which began with rehearsal sessions for Motloung Matjamela’s The Purgatory, a 2022 Grahamstown Festival production. “It was a different space, unlike any rehearsal I had experienced before. We brainstormed collectively, thinking outside the box to create something unique. I was looking for an alternative way to play the umakhweyane. The one available was broken, so I had to improvise.
“As I began playing, the beats and lyrics flowed naturally, but I had to go back home, restructure it and make it resonate with me before it could connect with others,” she recalled.
Reflecting on her past, Yamungu shared her journey of self-acceptance. She said growing up with the darkest complexion in her family, she often faced ridicule and had to learn to embrace herself fully. ”The message I want to convey through Ngimuhle is to promote African beauty, self-love, and empower young people to embrace their imperfections and embrace their true selves.”
She mentioned that she aimed to combine the indigenous umakhweyane sound with Western instruments to create a versatile and diverse musical style. ”I want both the old and young generations to relate to the music, whether it’s through hearing their favourite elements like the piano, drums and horns or through the infusion of our indigenous sounds.”
Yamungu said she believes her music contributes to cultural movements like the Natural Hair Movement and the celebration of Black Girl Magic. ”Wearing natural hair is like proudly donning a crown as an African. Our diverse cultures are beautifully reflected in the way we wear our hair. Singing African lullabies in various languages and honouring African giants like Oliver Mtukudzi and Princess Magogo is profoundly beautiful. Expressing ourselves through indigenous instruments brings fulfilment, which is why my upcoming album is titled Ngimuhle.”
She expressed gratitude for the support and praise for her single, and announced that the release of the full album will be in September, consisting of 10 songs.
