Bongeziwe MabandlaSouth Africa |1920| EnglishBongeziwe Mabandla, based in Johannesburg, is a renowned South African singer-songwriter celebrated for his folk music with isiXhosa lyrics and guitar accompaniment. Raised in Tsolo, in the rural Eastern Cape, his musical journey began with church singing and a music-filled upbringing. After studying at AFDA in Johannesburg, Mabandla's 2012 debut, "Umlilo," earned him acclaim as a Top 10 finalist at the Radio France Internationale Discoveries Awards. His 2017 album, "Mangaliso," expanded his Afro-Folk sound, earning him a SAMA nomination. Mabandla's global presence includes performances at Reeperbahn, WOMEX, and Lake of Stars. His third album, "iiMini," released in March 2020, featured the lead single "Ukuthanda Wena" in April 2023.