music
Bongeziwe Mabandla faced addiction, illness and ‘backstabbers’. How has the South African singer stayed so upbeat?
An indie star in his homeland, Mabandla’s fame is growing abroad – and his uplifting new album is full of existential insight after some of the toughest years of his life
TL;DR
- Bongeziwe Mabandla's new album, Ndingubani, translates to "who am I" and explores existential questions and selfhood.
- The album addresses Mabandla's struggles with addiction, depression, and a recent cancer scare, which ultimately shifted his perspective.
- Mabandla, an indie icon in Johannesburg, has been living in Paris for six months, balancing his international career with his South African roots.
- His music fuses elements of traditional isiXhosa music with modern indie electropop, sung primarily in isiXhosa.
- The album features songs inspired by family heritage (Yalwa), the importance of cherishing life (Libambe Lingatshoni), and friendships (Mngan’wam).
- Mabandla also recounts experiences of betrayal (Mpendulo) and the difficult journey through darkness and addiction (AML, Ndikhulule).