Eastern Cape’s Nomsa Mazwai, also known as Nomisupasta, will perform at the UN General Assembly in New York in June as part of a programme to celebrate the transformative power of the arts.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday, Mazwai said she felt honoured to have been invited.
The musician, academic and activist is a South African Music Award (Sama) winning artist and a Fulbright scholar who holds a master’s degree in international political economy and development.
“This is only going to benefit my musical career through the exposure that I stand to gain,” she said.
“I will get to share the stage with artists from all over the world but, most importantly, I feel like this is my chance to be an ambassador for South Africa and share my understanding of what is happening in our country.”
She said it was important for the UN to hear from South Africans and their view on transformation.
“This year we have seen statues brought down in the name of transformation, while at the same time being faced by atrocious xenophobic attacks.
“I have been watching as a young South African and I will be singing about this nation of ours, this international experiment of peace,” she said.
The former managing director of the now defunct Emthonjeni Arts was also the first female president of the University of Fort Hare’s student representative council.
She comes from a family of achievers as she is the daughter to veteran journalist Thami Mazwai and sister of popular singer Thandiswa and poet Ntsiki.
She said it was validating to be chosen for an international event because her music was not well known locally.
“This is how the UN knows about my music … when I lived in the US, I got to perform quite a few times so I have a huge following that side and there are many other South African artists who are basically unknown here at home but killing the international markets. So, when I return from this trip I want to focus on growing my brand here,” she said.
Before her departure, Mazwai will perform at the Soweto Art Fair on May 2 and at the Bassline in Newtown on May 6. She will also participate in the Worldwide Fund Journey of Water from May 10 to 14.
Fans can follow her on her journey to the UN on the website www.nomisupasta.com and select her blog #FunkItImWalking which is her personal drive to create a culture of walking in South Africa to encourage health, safety and the protection of the environment.
People can also purchase tickets to her shows on her website. — ziphon@dispatch.co.za
Mazwai to perform at UN
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday, Mazwai said she felt honoured to have been invited.
The musician, academic and activist is a South African Music Award (Sama) winning artist and a Fulbright scholar who holds a master’s degree in international political economy and development.
“This is only going to benefit my musical career through the exposure that I stand to gain,” she said.
“I will get to share the stage with artists from all over the world but, most importantly, I feel like this is my chance to be an ambassador for South Africa and share my understanding of what is happening in our country.”
She said it was important for the UN to hear from South Africans and their view on transformation.
“This year we have seen statues brought down in the name of transformation, while at the same time being faced by atrocious xenophobic attacks.
“I have been watching as a young South African and I will be singing about this nation of ours, this international experiment of peace,” she said.
The former managing director of the now defunct Emthonjeni Arts was also the first female president of the University of Fort Hare’s student representative council.
She comes from a family of achievers as she is the daughter to veteran journalist Thami Mazwai and sister of popular singer Thandiswa and poet Ntsiki.
She said it was validating to be chosen for an international event because her music was not well known locally.
“This is how the UN knows about my music … when I lived in the US, I got to perform quite a few times so I have a huge following that side and there are many other South African artists who are basically unknown here at home but killing the international markets. So, when I return from this trip I want to focus on growing my brand here,” she said.
Before her departure, Mazwai will perform at the Soweto Art Fair on May 2 and at the Bassline in Newtown on May 6. She will also participate in the Worldwide Fund Journey of Water from May 10 to 14.
Fans can follow her on her journey to the UN on the website www.nomisupasta.com and select her blog #FunkItImWalking which is her personal drive to create a culture of walking in South Africa to encourage health, safety and the protection of the environment.
People can also purchase tickets to her shows on her website. — ziphon@dispatch.co.za
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