(Dr Madala Kunene. Pic
supplied)
Dr Madala Kunene Unveils New Vocal
Collaboration and Cross-Cultural “Twosday” Performance for Africa Month
2026
Celebrated guitarist and cultural icon Dr Madala Kunene, widely known as the “King of Zulu Guitar,” will mark Africa Month this May with a powerful new artistic direction—introducing his daughters as backing vocalists while headlining a special “Twosday” collaborative concert on May 5, 2026, at the Centre for Jazz and Popular Music at UKZN.
This performance signals a significant evolution in Dr Kunene’s live presentation. After many years of performing without active vocalists on stage, he now welcomes a new vocal dimension through his daughters - Melody Kunene, Nontombi Kunene, and Sinothile Kunene—whose harmonies promise to bring a rich, fresh texture to his music.
The full ensemble for the performance includes:
Band:
Dr Madala Kunene – Guitar
Bernard Mndaweni – Bass Guitar
Vishen Kemraj – Tabla
Sthembiso Ntuli – Saxophone
Vocals:
Melody Kunene
Nontombi Kunene
Sinothile Kunene
At the heart of the May 5 concert is the innovative
“Twosday” concept—an exciting musical platform designed to bring together
artists who are well-established in their respective styles, encouraging
collaboration beyond their usual creative boundaries. While the name suggests a
pairing, “Twosday” also represents the meeting of musical traditions and ideas,
often expanding to include a broader ensemble.
The initiative aims to foster experimentation, learning, and the creation of new work that transcends familiar stylistic comfort zones. By cultivating a space where musicians can explore the edges of their performance and composition practices, “Twosday” promotes a vibrant cross-cultural dialogue rooted in Durban’s rich and diverse musical landscape.
A highlight of this collaboration is the pairing of Dr Kunene’s distinctive Zulu guitar style with Vishen Kemraj’s mastery of the tabla, a classical Indian instrument. Together, they create a compelling fusion that bridges African and Indian musical traditions—an embodiment of the “Twosday” ethos.
With Durban home to an exceptional pool of talented and culturally diverse musicians, there are strong ambitions to establish “Twosday” as an ongoing concert series, building on the success of existing initiatives such as the popular weekly Trios series held every Wednesday. Ultimately, the concept offers musicians a valuable opportunity to expand creatively, exchange knowledge, and celebrate a shared musical language.
“This collaboration is about growth, connection, and discovery,” says Dr Kunene. “It’s about stepping into new spaces musically and bringing audiences along for that journey.”
Audiences can expect an unforgettable evening of genre-defying music, heartfelt storytelling, and dynamic interplay between generations and cultures.
https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1593599166
Event details:
Twosday: The Kunene legacy
Tuesday May 5. 2026
Doors open at 17h00, Music at 17h30
Centre for Jazz and Popular Music
Tickets at Webtickets:
https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1593599166 or cash at the
door R130 (pensioners R100, students R70)
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