Eastern Cape-born singer Nathi Mankayi has captured the hearts of many South Africans with his latest single,
Nomvula.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch, Mankayi said the song was about his dream girl.
“It is not about a specific person. It’s about the kind of girl that every guy wants to be around. It’s the girl you dream of being with one day,” he explained.
The Mthatha-born Afro-soul singer started singing as a youngster while living in Maclear, but it was only in 2011 that he decided to take his passion for music to another level.
“In 2011 the Elundini Local Municipality hosted a music competition called ‘Dare To Dream’. My sister and I entered and she won the competition. I helped her record her album .”
His sister’s victory pushed him to enter the competition again when the municipality hosted it the following year.
“I won this time, and got the opportunity to work with the Jaziel Brothers on my album,” Mankayi said.
He said Nomvula was one of the songs recorded with the Jaziel Brothers in 2012. “I encountered many challenges after finishing that album. It took a while before it made its debut,” he said – but refused to elaborate on what the challenges were.
Mankayi said at a low point he wanted to give up his passion for music.
“I won’t lie – I lost all hope when things were not going the way I thought they would. But I told myself that God has not given me one talent, I focused on my artwork that I do on the side,” he said.
Before moving to Johannesburg earlier this year, Mankayi said he was working on sculptures and drawings at his Maclear home.
“That was how I made a living for myself while I waited for God to work out something,” he said.
It was through Muthalanda Entertainment/Ghetto Ruff Music that Mankayi finally got his big break.
“Through this label people are now hearing my music all over the country,” he said.
It has always been Mankayi’s dream to share his talent with the rest of the world. “My mother’s prayer has been for me to make it big in the music industry. When things started happening last year, she was happy for me,” he said.
This year already Mankayi has performed around Johannesburg, at the Durban July and recently on SABC2’s Afro Cafe.
Yesterday he made an appearance on e.tv’s Craze.
Catch Mankayi performing today in Qunu for the Nelson Mandela Day celebrations. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
Mthatha singer gets his big break
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch, Mankayi said the song was about his dream girl.
“It is not about a specific person. It’s about the kind of girl that every guy wants to be around. It’s the girl you dream of being with one day,” he explained.
The Mthatha-born Afro-soul singer started singing as a youngster while living in Maclear, but it was only in 2011 that he decided to take his passion for music to another level.
“In 2011 the Elundini Local Municipality hosted a music competition called ‘Dare To Dream’. My sister and I entered and she won the competition. I helped her record her album .”
His sister’s victory pushed him to enter the competition again when the municipality hosted it the following year.
“I won this time, and got the opportunity to work with the Jaziel Brothers on my album,” Mankayi said.
He said Nomvula was one of the songs recorded with the Jaziel Brothers in 2012. “I encountered many challenges after finishing that album. It took a while before it made its debut,” he said – but refused to elaborate on what the challenges were.
Mankayi said at a low point he wanted to give up his passion for music.
“I won’t lie – I lost all hope when things were not going the way I thought they would. But I told myself that God has not given me one talent, I focused on my artwork that I do on the side,” he said.
Before moving to Johannesburg earlier this year, Mankayi said he was working on sculptures and drawings at his Maclear home.
“That was how I made a living for myself while I waited for God to work out something,” he said.
It was through Muthalanda Entertainment/Ghetto Ruff Music that Mankayi finally got his big break.
“Through this label people are now hearing my music all over the country,” he said.
It has always been Mankayi’s dream to share his talent with the rest of the world. “My mother’s prayer has been for me to make it big in the music industry. When things started happening last year, she was happy for me,” he said.
This year already Mankayi has performed around Johannesburg, at the Durban July and recently on SABC2’s Afro Cafe.
Yesterday he made an appearance on e.tv’s Craze.
Catch Mankayi performing today in Qunu for the Nelson Mandela Day celebrations. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
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