Nobuntu
DIGITAL PLAYBILL
Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at 7:30pm
in Stewart Theatre
presented by NC State LIVE
ARTISTS
Zanele Manhenga
Thandeka Moyo
Duduzile Sibanda
Joyline Sibanda
The concert will run approximately 90 minutes including an intermission.
Special thanks to Dr. Alison Arnold and Will Ridenour for the djembe.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Zanele Manhenga is a talented singer, songwriter and poet who began her journey as a child singing at family gatherings together with her older sister, afro-jazz artist Dudu Manhenga.
She has also appeared numerous times as a performer and an MC at the Sistaz Open Mic, a Pamberi Trust initiative to give young and upcoming female artists a platform to enter the mainstream of the arts in Harare. In addition to the open Mic sessions, she has attended several workshops under the gender project F.L.A.M.E. This has contributed to her growth and confidence along her musical journey.
Zanele has performed, recorded, toured and been mentored by Dudu Manhenga and Color Blu in South Africa and Mozambique. She has also performed as a background vocalist for many artists including Pastor Gee, Ignatious Mabasa, Ronny Roots, Bob Nyabinde, Jeys Marabini, Lwazi Shabangu and Cool Crooners to mention but a few. With these and other artists, she has performed at Harare International Festival of the Arts HIFA (2007), Beira Jazz festival (Mozambique 2009), Harare Jazz Festival 2010-2012, Grahamstown Arts Festival (South Africa 2009-2010), October Jazz (2011-2014) and Bob Marley Commemoration (2012).
In 2011 Zanele Manhenga studied for a National Certificate in Musicology at the Zimbabwe College of Music where she trained with various instruments including the Mbira and traditional Zimbabwe dance among other subjects.
Zanele released a single called Nginje in 2013. In 2014 Zanele Manhenga was signed by 10th District Music and joined Nobuntu. She has since contributed songs to the latest Nobuntu album EKHAYA. She is the Mbira player of the group as well as a singer and songwriter.
Thandeka Moyo is a talented songwriter, singer, dancer, Make-up Artist and Designer. She started singing in high school at St. Columbus in 2003 and was very much involved with the high school choir.
From 2008-2010 she went to study Cosmetology at Bulawayo Polytechnic and focused on Image Consultancy and Personal Grooming. During this time, she joined the Bulawayo Polytechnic Choir and performed in District Competitions.
Since then she has managed to work with upcoming Artists in Zimbabwe including the UK based Gospel artist Nkosie ka Ndlovu and Afro-Soul artist Mduduzi Ngoma. Thandeka joined Nobuntu in September 2014.
Duduzile Sibanda is a self taught singer and song writer who discovered her ability to sing at a very young age. Coming from a music-loving family she grew up singing at family gatherings, church functions and in the school choir. Her passion for performing has continued to grow.
After high school, Duduzile pursued music as a backup singer for local musicians like Khulekani Bhethule (Khuxxman), Zenzele Ndebele, Gabs Fire, Mjox and many more. She also worked vocally on a series of
jingles for Radio Dialogue.
In 2011 she joined a theatre project titled ‘Stitcha’ produced by Qhube Productions where she further explored her music career as well as theatre. After Stitsha she began doing backing vocals for Ramadu, an Austrian musician, who at the time, was working on his release ‘Zim Classics’. Duduzile joined Nobuntu when the group was founded. She is a singer, songwriter and dancer. In 2016, Duduzile, along with friend and fellow Nobuntu member, Zanele Manhenga, started uMuz’Wentombi (The House of Woman), a culture and arts platform meant to bring women together in the city of Bulawayo.
Joyline Sibanda is a talented dancer and singer who started performing in 2004 at Vuka Africa and with Cont Mhlanga in a show called Mzilikazi. She then worked with Friends of Joshua as a dancer and singer of INDLOVUKAZI Zikanyongola. In 2011, she toured Germany with lntombi Zomqangala.
Joyline Sibanda is a singer and dancer and original member of Nobuntu.
ABOUT NC State LIVE
NC State LIVE’s mission is to connect artists and audiences in a meaningful exploration of the cultures and issues that define our communities and world. Our artists have a unique knack for pushing boundaries while building bridges. Over the course of the 2024-25 season, we will connect with countless campus and community partners to engage with our artists through free pre and post-show talks, master classes, lectures, panels and more. Learn more about NC State LIVE here.
It Takes a Village
NC State LIVE is supported in part by grants from the City of Raleigh based on recommendations of the Raleigh Arts Commission, South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, and the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources.