(Right: Nozuko Nguqu)
Nozuko Nguqu performs on a
Twosday show this Women’s month
Lusiki-siki (Eastern Cape) born Nguqu is an academic, musician, creative writer set to light the UKZN Centre for Jazz and Popular Music stage on fire tomorrow (Tuesday August 19, 2025), at 17h30.
Musically, she is trained and rooted in Indigenous African Music and Dance (IAMD). She has also been involved in several local theatrical productions and has been a backing vocalist for South African musicians such as Mfiliseni Magubane (Maskandi); Ilima band (Contemporary and Afro-Jazz); Matshitshi Ngema (Maskandi); Mduduzi Nyawose (Maskandi-Gospel); and Umkhumbane Jazz band – to mention a few. Her artistry and musicianship are therefore shaped by lived experience than they are by academic training.
Nguqu has been a music teacher specialist at the secondary school level in the Umlazi district since 2015. However, her teaching skills also extend to art centres and universities. She has successfully executed specialized classes for the Durban BAT Centre's Arts in Residency (AIR) programme.
Besides winning the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) Maskandi Music and Poetry awards, Nguqu's lived experience and influential presence in the African music scene, have afforded other local artists to re-arrange some of her studio album songs for their albums. Despite the evident music evolution, Nguqu's vision is to witness African indigenous music preserved and disseminated through her teaching and performance.
Nguqu on lead vocalist and mbira will be accompanied by Robert Mbambo - acoustic guitar, Thabani Shangase – bass, Dumisani Hlela – drums, Nhlanhla Shinga – percussions, Wiseman Chiyi - electric guitar and keys and on backing vocals Sifiso Cele, Mafuthi Khwela, and Pinky Mabaso.
Expect mostly original repertoire by Nguqu. The performance will command both deep thinking (lyrical content entails story telling) and provide a lot of Maskandi rhythm.
The concert takes place at 17h30 on August 19, 2025, at 17h30.
Tickets available at the door: R120 (R90 for pensioners, R60 for students)
Bookings through Webtickets - https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1571914459 but tickets will be available for cash at the door.
The UKZN, Centre for Jazz and Popular Music is located at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, Dennis Shepstone Building, Level 2
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