Bongeziwe Mabandla

Bongeziwe Mabandla will perform at Knust in Hamburg on 19 April 2026. The South African singer-songwriter from Tsolo, now based in Johannesburg, blends intimate Afro-folk with soul and subtly applied electronic textures. His lyrics, mostly in isiXhosa and occasionally in English, revolve around the inner life, relationship dynamics and collective memory. Melody and voice remain intimate and present throughout.

Since his debut Umlilo (2012), he has been defined by a combination of acoustic guitar and choral-like harmonic voices. With Mangaliso (2017), together with his long-time partner Tiago Correia-Paulo, he honed the rhythmic dimension and the sonic layers. iimini (2020), in its pared-down arrangements, traces the stages of a romantic relationship and leaves plenty of space for voice and choirs. amaXesha (2023) expands the palette toward contemplative moods in which folk ballads, slow pulses and repetitive motifs interweave.

On stage Mabandla concentrates this quiet intensity: voice, guitar and delicate electronic details meet a clear, song-oriented narrative—situated between South African heritage, an alternative pop sensibility and global influences.