THE SANGOMA WITH A MUSICAL PURPOSE: MEET NTOMBETHONGO
What are the 3 songs, you’re currently listening to in your car?
Dirty diner by Michael Jackson.  Ngisebenzile mama by Mfaz’Omnyama. Asimbonanga by Jonny Clegg. These songs keep me going.
The music you make is deeply cultured, what would you like for people to take away from you as a musician?
The music I do is deeply cultured. At the same time very flexible to blend with other music styles like reggae, Afro soul and pop act. My believe is that my music was part of my calling as its all started with dreams during my Thwasa journey in 1992. Tell us about your top three musicians, have they influenced you in any way?
My top three musicians are brother Michael Jackson - He influences my voice articulation and my movements on stage.
The late father Mfaz’Omnyama - His Originality keeps me focused when I look at myself.Â
Prince Rogers Nelson - His crazy movements whilst playing his guitar.
Your costumes and image is extremely colourful, what would you like for people to take away from your image?Â
My Costumes and make up are inspired by being an African, sangoma, and musician.Â
Bright colours are my usual wardrobe I love bright clothes, it symbolises happiness in me. The white dots on my face is simply African body make up, I add red colour and lipstick to spice up my artistic image so that I can look unique to my fellow Maskhanda artists. Â
I would like people to not to lose who they really are because of the fast changing world. I believe if we keep our original Identity we will travel places in the world. Do you still practise being a Sangoma?
Yes I do work as a Sangoma still. I was called to be a sangoma at the age of 6, I grew up not knowing what other kids did.Â
When the music took a professional platform, people from home were talking a lot about how can I be a sangoma but able to work with huge sounds and than they started to give me names like isigungu (fake sangoma).Â
That just kept me going, I knew this was my calling too. I had never had big problems by being in front of big crowds with different issues but sometimes I will feel like to be alone after my performance. My music is the second herb to heal people’s hearts.Â
How do you keep yourself happy?
I keep myself happy and in good mood most of the time by telling myself that each and everyday is different and that each challenge of the each day is ok, I make peace with my past even though its not an easy thing to do. Where can people find your work?
My new released Album titled Amagamakho, can be found in most music stores in South Africa, and on iTunes, Deezer & Google.
My move in to Johannesburg is a big step that I took early this year, I’m looking forward to be welcomed by the industry up here.Â
I’m currently working on a future project that features different elements and dynamic of Reggae fused with Transkhanda.














