Latest news with #Zandisile
IOL News
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Simphiwe Dana's shocking revelation: 'I've been stolen from for five years!'
Simphiwe Dana reveals that she has been stolen from by her people for over five years. Image: Instagram Singer-songwriter Simphiwe Dana, known for her sharp social commentary and activism through music, has come forward with a shocking revelation. The seasoned singer revealed that for the past five years, she has been a victim of exploitation and theft, with her own 'people' implicated. With a career spanning over two decades, Dana has built a reputation for using her platform to speak truth to power. Since coming onto the music scene in 2002, her music has tackled everything from inequality to social justice. But behind the scenes, Dana's team had been quietly taking advantage of her trust. According to the artist, the exploitation began five years ago, and she feels betrayed. 'I'm actually getting madder by the moment. I know I bring genius things. For the past five years, I've been stolen from. And my people have been a part of it. I'm tired. The betrayal is painful,' said Dana. The news has sent shockwaves through the music industry, with many of Dana's industry peers and fans expressing outrage and support. Singer Moneoa Moshesh took to the comment section to show Dana support. 'You're a legend. I'm really sorry for whatever it is you're going through, but please always know you're literally one of my biggest inspirations for individuality and authenticity in writing and the style of expressing music. 'They can't compete where they don't compare. You're amazing. We love you,' said Moshesh. Another industry peer, Thebe Ikalafeng, also shared words of encouragement with Dana. 'No one can steal your excellence and authenticity; the rest won't last. I love you. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help you,' he said. Additionally, the 45-year-old Butterworth-born artist celebrated 20 years of her debut album 'Zandisile', with a concert in June at the Playhouse Theatre as well Baxter Theatre.
The Citizen
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
‘The betrayal is painful': Simphiwe Dana on people stealing from her
The singer recently celebrated 20 years since the release of her debut album. Singer and songwriter Simphiwe Dana has opened up about the betrayal she has suffered over the past few years. Taking to Instagram, Dana shared a cryptic message saying that people have stolen from her in the past five years. 'I'm actually getting madder by the moment. I know I bring genius things. For the past five years, I've been stolen from. And my people have been a part of it. I'm tired. The betrayal is painful,' she wrote. Dana hinted last month, while celebrating 20 years since the release of her debut album Zandisile, that she was navigating a turbulent time in her life. 'The celebration of Simphiwe Dana's 20-year career comes at the tail-end of a tumultuous era in my life, but it's still a nice thing to point at as something to celebrate. Fulfilment is not the right word, but it's the best word I can think of right now. I feel this really grounded sense of accomplishment,' she said in a press statement. ALSO READ: 'I'll keep on fighting through this pain' – Nomcebo Zikode after losing case against Open Mic Simphiwe Dana celebrates debut album Dana commemorated the milestone with two special performances at the Playhouse Theatre in Durban and the Baxter Theatre Concert Hall in Cape Town. Reflecting on her early career, the Ndiredi hitmaker said she always felt she brought something unique to the industry. 'I knew I looked different, I sounded different, and the songs I wanted to sing were different. 'I thought I was telling people, 'Make way, something different is coming,' but in hindsight, I was telling all of our stories about what it means to affirm yourself — because the world will always tell you that you're supposed to be something else,' she added. NOW READ: WATCH: 'He has kept all his promises': Inside Somkhanda Gumbi's wedding to third wife
IOL News
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Pan Africanist artist Simphiwe Dana will enthrall crowds with her 'magic' at the Baxter
Simphiwe Dana at the Playhouse Image: Hugh Mdlalose IF THE Durban leg of her delightful concert over a week ago is anything to go by, loyal fans of music sensation Simphiwe Dana are in for a magical time at the Baxter this weekend. On Friday and Saturday, Dana is in Cape Town to round up her three-city 20th anniversary as a professional musician, her debut album, Zandisile took South Africa by storm in 2004 and gave us some of the most loved and enduring songs ever to come from this land recently. From the time the lights hit the expansive stage of the Opera, the 1224-seater at the Playhouse, Dana made a grand entrance with her anthemic Nkwenkwezi. As fans whistled, ululated, and went absolutely crazy, it was evident the Pan Africanist diva and her forces were in for epic vocal and spiritual libations of joyous music and dazzling lights. Despite a disappointingly average turnout, Dana and her 24-member band led by Tshepo Tsotetsi stuck to the mandate and turned the night into an unforgettable and intimate celebration I would not have wanted to miss for the world. Special guests, Clermont township choir, Red Light Choir added a perfect choral flavour to the evening. 'I am here to thank the people for supporting me all these years,' she said a few hours before the show. The chatty award-winning composer and band leader was determined to let her audience feel her appreciation, a theme she kept going till her final song for the night. 'Sanibonani bantu baKwaZulu!' From her greetings as her band was warming up, and throughout the show, her rapport with her audience was unbreakable. The thunderous response to her question whether anyone of Mpondo and Thembu ancestry was in the house or not was yet another show of her deep love for her cultural roots and their socio-philosophical anchorage. Gifted not just with a golden and versatile voice, Dana draws from a rich traditional South African blues, jazz and Southern African choral source whose Pan Africanist timbre and textures continue to attain depth and harmony of voice. Watching her and hearing her sing can take one to the old rural Transkei hinterlands where girls not only listened to the music of the elders, but also were adept at playing instruments such as umrhubhe-mouth bow. Although unlike her predecessors among them Nofinishi Dywili, Mantombi Matotiyana and Madosini, she does not play umrhubhe, at times her blues vocal style gestures to the echoes of their revered multivocal overtone singing style known as umngqokolo. Inasmuch as she has had a wide range of musical influences including jazz, reggae, hip-hop, gospel, Afro soul and maskandi over the years, as a politically and culturally conscious artist, Dana refuses to imprison her spirited repertoire to narrow prisms of fixed time, space and breadth. Neither does she feel comfortable being compared to her role models among them, iconic Sophiatown divas such as Miriam Makeba, Dorothy Masuku, Sophie Mgcina and Thandi Klaasen, insisting what they accomplished under harsh conditions is simply unrepeatable. Since she came into the scene in 2004 with her album, Zandisile, Dana has been searching for healing, affirming her life and the lives of people who are special to her. In Tribute to maMjoli, she remembers her beloved and stunningly beautiful late mother, Noziphumo maMjoli Dana who died of a Covid-19-related illness in 2021.
The Citizen
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Beaded tribute: Artist gifts Thabo Mbeki a 77 558-bead portrait for his birthday
The portrait depicts a young Thabo Mbeki and was crafted entirely from beads — 77,558 of them, to be exact, by artist Lindiwe Hlatshwayo. Artist Lindiwe Hlatshwayo took more than 700 hours to create the handcrafted bead portrait of Mbeki. Picture: @Powerfm987/X After working on a Thabo Mbeki portrait for three months, dedicating more than 700 hours of her time, artist Lindiwe Hlatshwayo presented the former president with a handcrafted bead portrait for his birthday. 'We hope this portrait serves as a lasting reminder of the impact you've made,' said artist Hlatshwayo in her brief speech before revealing the portrait to loud cheers on Sunday. The portrait is a photo of a younger Mbeki, which was made solely from beads — 77,558 to be exact. Hlawtwayo said it wasn't just a portrait, but a symbol. 'Each bead represents the countless lives touched, the inspiration given and the legacy created by Mr Thabo Mbeki. This isn't just a picture, it's a symbol,' said Hlawtwayo. 'It's unique, vibrant and unforgettable,' just like Mbeki she said. The portrait was unveiled at the end of the night of Mbeki's 83rd birthday on Sunday evening at the Joburg Theatre, hosted by radio station Power FM. Hlatshwayo is the artist behind Beads by Lindiwe, where she creates customary portraits similar to the one gifted to Mbeki. ALSO READ: Saxophonist Linda Sikhakhane shares special moment with Thabo Mbeki at birthday party Mbeki's love for art Although the theatre was filled with politicians and dignitaries, there was a presence of art—a display of Mbeki's appreciation for it. In 2023, during his 81st birthday celebrations, Mbeki shared an intimate moment with young saxophonist Linda Sikhakhane. After cutting the birthday cake, Mbeki gave the first piece to Sikhakhane. This was after Sikhakhane made mention of how jazz and politics were in tandem in the fight against apartheid during his set, which the former president quoted when he made his speech. 'We've lost sight of the role of the arts in terms of the formation of the nation. That we see music just as entertainment, so you stand up and jive and all of that. As we heard from the saxophonist who was saying that it would be a mistake to separate jazz from the politics of this country,' Mbeki said at the time. 'We have to attend to this matter, of bringing back the arts as part of the making of the nation.' Simphiwe Dana took the song "Malaika" to the next level tonight! Mama Miriam Makeba is definitely smiling. — Zwelinzima Vavi (@Zwelinzima1) June 22, 2025 At the celebrations on Sunday, singer Simphiwe Dana mesmerised guests through song. In his address, Mbeki described the Zandisile singer as a 'revolutionary militant.' Dana was part of a group that travelled with Mbeki to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for his 15th Thabo Mbeki Africa Day Lecture. NOW READ: Trombonist Siyasanga 'Siya' Charles excited to come back home for the National Arts Festival
eNCA
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- eNCA
Simphiwe Dana celebrates two decades of excellence
JOHANNESBURG - The African Queen of Soul, the voice of the ages Simphiwe Dana's debut album Zandisile was released twenty years ago. Dana celebrates two decades of artistry with a showcase of her work and talents at The Baxter Concert Hall. Two shows to be held on 27 and 28 June 2025 will explore the multidimensional aspects of her work and growth.
