Singer and actor Nakhane shares his journey of growing up in the Eastern Cape, and his feelings on love, being hurt and empathy in his latest album, titled You Will Not Die.
Due to be released on Friday, the album has been recorded in the United Kingdom where the Alice-born singer is currently based.
Speaking with the Daily Dispatch yesterday, Nakhane said a lot has happened in the past year and the title of the album was an affirmation that there is hope for a better tomorrow.
“I have had this title for eight or nine years but I didn’t have any material for it. Life is tough but one must get up and know that there is a tomorrow and continue living. As much as it sounds heavy, this title is about hope and it is important to know that things may get better,” he said.
He made his film debut in the controversial movie, Inxeba: The Wound.
The film follows the story of a lonely factory worker, played by Nakhane, who joins the men of his Xhosa community in caring for the young men who are about to undergo the cultural tradition in the mountains of the Eastern Cape that marks their initiation into manhood.
The role has garnered him numerous accolades, including at the Palm Springs Film festival, the Valencia International Film Festival and the Sydney Film Festival.
Although the movie has won him numerous awards internationally, back home it has not been the case. The movie was removed from mainstream cinemas after the Film and Publication Board (FPB) Appeal Tribunal classified it X18 with elements like sex, language, nudity, violence, and prejudice. A rating of X18 means the material can only be distributed from designated adult premises.
The rating has since been lifted and the movie is due to make its cinema return later this week. There are no plans to screen it at Hemingways in East London.
Even though Nakhane doubts he will set foot in Alice anytime soon, he said his family and friends have been supportive through the Inxeba attacks from the public.
“My mother used to say to me ‘umntu akalahlwa’ and my family has been so supportive. I never expected it and the funny thing is we don’t even talk about the film. My grandmother used to say to us if you see people beating one of your siblings, you don’t ask what’s happening, you just defend them, and that is exactly what has been happening in my life,” he said.
He added that whether South African people want him or not, he will always be one of their own.
“South Africa made me, that’s home and I love the Eastern Cape. It’s sad that I can’t come,” he said.
Nakhane said he would not be launching his album back home.
“I will be doing a tour around Europe and the UK which we will be announcing soon.
“I will come to South Africa but at the moment I can’t say when,” he said, adding that he would not visit Alice anytime soon, referring to the threats made against him as a result of appearing in the movie.
The album will be available in digital stores and stores nationwide from Friday this week. —
poliswap@dispatch.co.za
Nakhane to drop album after ‘Inxeba’ row
Due to be released on Friday, the album has been recorded in the United Kingdom where the Alice-born singer is currently based.
Speaking with the Daily Dispatch yesterday, Nakhane said a lot has happened in the past year and the title of the album was an affirmation that there is hope for a better tomorrow.
“I have had this title for eight or nine years but I didn’t have any material for it. Life is tough but one must get up and know that there is a tomorrow and continue living. As much as it sounds heavy, this title is about hope and it is important to know that things may get better,” he said.
He made his film debut in the controversial movie, Inxeba: The Wound.
The film follows the story of a lonely factory worker, played by Nakhane, who joins the men of his Xhosa community in caring for the young men who are about to undergo the cultural tradition in the mountains of the Eastern Cape that marks their initiation into manhood.
The role has garnered him numerous accolades, including at the Palm Springs Film festival, the Valencia International Film Festival and the Sydney Film Festival.
Although the movie has won him numerous awards internationally, back home it has not been the case. The movie was removed from mainstream cinemas after the Film and Publication Board (FPB) Appeal Tribunal classified it X18 with elements like sex, language, nudity, violence, and prejudice. A rating of X18 means the material can only be distributed from designated adult premises.
The rating has since been lifted and the movie is due to make its cinema return later this week. There are no plans to screen it at Hemingways in East London.
Even though Nakhane doubts he will set foot in Alice anytime soon, he said his family and friends have been supportive through the Inxeba attacks from the public.
“My mother used to say to me ‘umntu akalahlwa’ and my family has been so supportive. I never expected it and the funny thing is we don’t even talk about the film. My grandmother used to say to us if you see people beating one of your siblings, you don’t ask what’s happening, you just defend them, and that is exactly what has been happening in my life,” he said.
He added that whether South African people want him or not, he will always be one of their own.
“South Africa made me, that’s home and I love the Eastern Cape. It’s sad that I can’t come,” he said.
Nakhane said he would not be launching his album back home.
“I will be doing a tour around Europe and the UK which we will be announcing soon.
“I will come to South Africa but at the moment I can’t say when,” he said, adding that he would not visit Alice anytime soon, referring to the threats made against him as a result of appearing in the movie.
The album will be available in digital stores and stores nationwide from Friday this week. —
poliswap@dispatch.co.za
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