UMTHWAKAZI IS A 3 PIECE BAND THAT IS ORIGINALLY FROM THE EASTERN CAPE. THE STYLE OF THE MUSIC THEY OFFER IS AFRICAN, VERNACULAR MIXED WITH OPERA AND TRADITIONAL NGUNI INDIGENOUS SOUNDS.

UMthwakazi's politically engaged elegies fuse vernacular lyricism; Xhosa praise singing and African indigenous music on jam-like sets.

Pumelele “Purah” Lavisa and Luyolo Lenga are also founders/ members of the well-known Xhosa Hip-Hop duo Izithunywa Zohlanga and Udaba Band. Bongiwe better known as Bongi is an established opera singer who has been touring around Europe.

Bongiwe has toured with the Guild Theater opera company abroad, and has performed alongside Sibongile Khumalo at the Arts Cape. She is currently one of the students forming the UFH indigenous orchestra, conducted by Tandile Mandela.

He has been involved in the conceptual development of various Eastern Cape community radio stations and has worked as a program producer. He has been involved in three documentary productions for SABC1: ("Headwrap": Fusing Xhosa literature with Jazz; "Headzup Mzansi": Importance of language in music; "What's your story": Community development).

As a performer he has toured with the Guild Theatre company in festivals across the country, and is one of the members of the recording Hip-Hop duo Izithunywa Zohlanga.

Currently, at the time this feature was written, he is visiting the University of Tübingen, Germany, as a cultural exchange student.

He is a sound engineer and has recorded several Hip-Hop projects (locally and internationally published), including those of Izithunywa Zohlanga and Life Forces.
Since, he has been performing nationally, promoting the Izithunywa Zohlanga project.

THE BAND LINEUP:

Mthwakazi | Vocals and uhadi bow
Bongiwe Lusizi (Mthwakazi) is from East London, Eastern Cape.
She is a vocalist and an African bow player, currently studying a BA degree in African indigenous music at the University of Fort Hare.

Nyanakantu | Electric Guitar, ikatara and umqangi bows, vocals
Luyolo Lenga (Nyanakantu) Luyolo is from East London, Eastern Cape.
He is a composer, lyricist and guitarist and studied a BA degree in African music at the University of Fort Hare

Myalezo | uMrhubhe bow, masengwane, igubu, narrator
Pumelele Lavisa (Myalezo) is from Butterworth, Eastern Cape. He is a lyricist, a percussionist and bass guitar player.
Purah is currently studying BSocSc in Anthropology at the University of Fort Hare.

Ras Juda | Congo drums and percussions