Latest news with #Empangeni
News24
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
5 minutes with Afro-jazz artist Zethembiso ‘Zethe' Zimela
Zethembiso 'Zethe' Zimela hails from Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal. Zethe is an emerging Afro-jazz artist blending jazz, soul and urban traditional African sounds. Her music is rooted in advocating for mental health and social justice, using her voice to inspire change and unity through art. We get to know more about the singer. What's the story behind your latest album, Breathe? Breathe is more than just an album; it is a personal journey of healing and reflection. The music is composed to serve as a form of medicine, ikhambi, which provides solutions to the myriads of issues we face in our daily lives – breathing amid the chaos, reclaiming our humanity, summoning courage, nurturing hope, and finding solace in love and prayer. Ultimately, the music in this album carries therapeutic musical strategies on mental health, serving as both a mirror and a remedy for the soul. Therefore, I invite listeners to breathe as they go through personal life journeys and take their healing (ikhambi) in this album, as each track offers a dose of insight, comfort, hope, and strength. What message do you hope listeners get from it? It's music that speaks to the soul, encouraging listeners to pause, exhale and embrace their healing journey. I hope listeners can apply the message to their everyday lives and connect with it. The album explores themes of mental health, healing, and human connection. Tracks like Ukukhanya (there's light), Uthando (a love letter) and the titular Breathe showcase Zethe channelling her journey of healing into music that mirrors the struggles and triumphs of the human spirit. What was the creative process for this album? It's been a three-year journey. I write thoughts and feelings, come up with melodies separately from them, and put the writings to the melody. The lyrics are mostly from my journal, true, vulnerable and honest moments. Did you face any challenges while making it? I'm a perfectionist and that played a big role in why this album took longer to complete. I had a clear vision of how I wanted every detail – each note, lyric, and emotion – to come together. It wasn't just about finishing a project; it was about ensuring that the music fully reflected my artistic expression and the message I wanted to share. Taking my time allowed me to refine every element, making sure it felt authentic, meaningful and true to my journey. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zethe Zimela (@zethe_z) Did you collaborate with any other artists or producers? I worked with a great South African pianist Sibusiso Mash Mashiloane who took his time when he was helping me produce this album. The album consists of 12 musical contributors (instrumentalists and vocalists). Right now, I'm fascinated by the power of sound and how it connects with emotions and healing. This deeply influences my work, as I want my music to be more than just songs – it should be an experience that speaks to the soul, offering comfort, motivation, and a space for personal introspection. Do any of the songs hold a special personal meaning for you? The first song in the album is titled Ukukhanya. It is an appeal for a breakthrough, a request for light to shine in our lives so we can see clearly, whether it's to see ourselves, others or the path ahead. Sometimes, we are the ones dimming our light through self-sabotage. This is a prayer, asking for the light to shine so we can truly live. It is also a promise that better days will come. Liberating, beautiful and entertaining.
News24
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Ntombie debuts book on grief and depression – ‘I had to revisit painful memories'
Supplied After losing her mother at the age of eight years old, her father became her pillar of strength. Her father, who is a priest at a local church in Zidedele, a village outside Empangeni in KwaZulu-Natal, raised her alone. Before they both knew it, Ntombenhle Shobede was leading songs in the church choir and eventually in the school choir in the late 90's. With the knowledge of music she accumulated in these choirs, she went on to join the Star for Life choir, for which scouts from Sweden hunted her. Country in, country out, she traveled the world with the Star for Life choir and was selected as the ambassador for the international group. Shortly after that, she pivoted into being a solo artist and recorded her music in Sweden. Read more | Refilwe Modiselle honours her father's legacy with children's book on albinism education In 2017, she brought it all home with a single dedicated to her father titled Right Beside Me. Her resilience and triumph have since been a beacon of inspiration. From surviving grief, and depression, now award-winning singer, songwriter, author, entrepreneur, and inspirational speaker fondly known as Ntombie shares her story to inspire others in her book titled Notes Of Grace (Surviving The Storm). 'To write about grief, mental health, and resilience - I had to revisit painful memories: losing my mom at a tender age, the deep sense of abandonment that followed, failed relationships, and battles with depression,' Ntombie says. Notes Of Grace (Surviving the Storm) is a deeply moving reflection on her journey through grief, mental health struggles, self-discovery, faith, and spiritual awakening. The book serves as a testimony of resilience and a beacon of hope for others walking similar paths. Ntombie uses her voice on stage, in her writing, and through her business to share messages of healing, faith, and purpose. The 34-year-old shares that Notes of Grace (Surviving the Storm) is her first published book, turning a new chapter in her musical journey spanning over two decades. 'While I've shared my story through music, there were parts of my journey that needed more space, and deeper emotions that music alone couldn't hold. Writing gave me that space. 'I first started working on the book in 2013, then revisited it in 2024. But it was only this year, over the past few months, that I truly felt God guiding me on what. He wanted me to share my recent experiences, along with the inspiration I drew from working with young people gave me the clarity and courage to finally finish it. This process was a roller coaster of emotions,' She elaborates on how long it took her to lay her heart on paper. After writing the book, Ntombie also found the kind of healing she never thought she needed. 'It wasn't easy, but the process brought so much closure and healing. I reflected, made peace with my past, and saw how God's grace truly carried me through.' Read more | 'I've found my purpose through dance' – Hope Ramafalo jetsets to international stages She adds that she'd like readers of her book to see themselves in the pages documenting her life. 'I hope readers see themselves in those pages, that they're reminded healing is possible, purpose can rise from pain, and grace will always meet us right where we are. I also hope it encourages us all to be a little gentler and kinder with one another.' Ntombie is also the founder of Ladie Ntombie, a dynamic company that offers creative services in event planning, music, and motivational programs, especially aimed at empowering women and youth. Through this platform, she continues to inspire and uplift communities by blending storytelling, music, and mentorship. As a long-time ambassador for an international organisation, Ntombie has dedicated her life to empowering young people - especially girls' education, personal development, and faith-based motivation. In 2024, she was also honored with the Best Newcomer Award at the Ingoma Awards for her powerful debut into the gospel music scene. Her music is rooted in faith and healing and continues to inspire audiences both locally and abroad.
The Herald
12-05-2025
- The Herald
Nine people, most of them mothers, perish in KwaZulu-Natal road accident
Nine people were killed in a horror crash involving a bakkie and tow truck in Empangeni on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast on Sunday morning. The provincial transport and human settlements department said most of the victims were mothers. 'On this Mother's Day, early this morning at about 6.47am, I received a report from our highly dedicated team from the Road Traffic Inspectorate informing me about a horrific accident that claimed the lives of nine people, mostly mothers. 'Losing a mother is a deeply painful experience that marks the radical change of the family's life and involves a wide range of sad emotions,' said MEC Siboniso Duma. According to a preliminary report, the collision, which occurred on the N2 northbound after the Mthunzini Toll Plaza, involved a tow truck and a Hyundai H-1 bakkie transporting 24 members of the Zion Christian Church. 'They were travelling to Dukuduku, Umtubatuba. We have been informed by the RTI and emergency rescue services that a tow truck struck the rear end of the Hyundai H-1, resulting in fatalities and serious injuries. Those who were injured have been taken to hospitals, and we wish them a speedy recovery,' said Duma. He said he had assembled a dedicated team from his office to liaise with the church and families. 'Finally, I have also mandated the RTI to immediately keep in touch with the Road Traffic Management Corporation to ensure that an investigation is conducted into this horrific accident. We will be updating the people of KwaZulu-Natal as we move forward.' TimesLIVE
