As you walk around the reception of ISH at Great Portland Street, there is one portion of the wall that draws
everyone’s attention – the Scholars Wall. It is a colourful display of portraits of the current recipients of the different scholarships that we offer in partnership with our university members; a representation of the diversity of talent and accomplishment in the House. Behind each face is a story and in the most recent edition of ISH Magazine, we had a chat with Thandeka Mfinyongo, a South African musician who is currently pursuing a Masters in Music Performance at SOAS.
Thandeka is a bold and powerful artist who feels a deep desire to make her mark in the world. A tremendous presence on stage, she has over 20 years of experience as a vocalist and over 5 years of playing the uhadi and umrhubhe. She is inspired by older generations of African musicians such as Madosini, whom she spent time and performed with, learning from her and deepening her appreciation for the traditional instruments and indigenous music. She has performed on various stages including the Baxter Theatre, Artscape and local stages and churches. Some of her notable performances included one of her poems at the Land Act 1913 Commemoration at the Homecoming in District Six in Dec 2013; singing with Lingua Franca Poetry Movement in Chicago, USA in 2018; performing and teaching in Mozambique in 2016 with the UCT iBuyambo Orchestra; performing at the Zabalaza Festival in 2013, and at a production for June 16 at Artscape in 2013. In March 2014 she was selected by the Department of Arts and Culture in the Western Cape to participate in the International Jazz Festival Skills Development.
>>> Read the full interview here.
Social media:
FACEBOOK: Thandeka Mfinyongo
INSTAGRAM: @thandeka_mfinyongo
TWITTER: ThandekaM86
EMAIL louisa.mfinyongo@gmail.com