Ntsiki Mazwai
Ntsiki Mazwai | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Nontsikelelo Mazwai |
| Also known as | MaMiya |
| Born | 3 September 1980 |
| Origin | Johannesburg, South Africa, |
| Genres | Traditional Hip hop Reggae House Afrosoul |
| Occupation(s) | Poet, songwriter, producer, author, beadwork artist |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Website | www |
Ntsiki Mazwai (born 3 September 1980) is a South African poet and recording artist. Known to her fans by her clan name MaMiya, she is sometimes described as the StreetQueen. Her social activism has lead to national debates about social issues affecting women in South Africa and her boldness has led her to becoming the voice of the voiceless.
Biography[edit]
Nontsikelelo Mazwai was born in Soweto on 3 September 1980. The daughter of two writers who were leaders in the Pan Africanist Congress, Belede Mazwai and Dr Thami Mazwai.[1]. She studied Marketing Management at IMM Graduate School (2008) and then later on obtained her Masters in Arts in creative writing with distinction from Rhodes University [2] (2017). Her work has always been inspired by her mother, who had an impact on her being black conscious and her musical influences have been Lebo Mathosa, Brenda Fassie, Lauryn Hill, Busi Mhlongo and Lizz Wright. Her mainstream entrance was via a compilation feature on Dj Glen Lewis album called Sisters in Songs released in 2004 with a song called Light up Life then followed by the successful release of Uwrongo on DJ Fresh’s Definition of House vol. 3 (2005), it went on to become the country’s biggest selling song of 2005. Having broken through in house music, Ntsiki explored different genres and sounds and her debut-album Mamiya (SAMA-nominated for best Urban Pop album in 2008)[3] [4] containing jazz, hip hop and soul, a definite token of her musical diversity[5]. Her second album was Ndingubani (2013). Her latest release The Masterpiece(2018), was produced in Soweto [6]. With this project she is working on reviving the live bands events in the townships. Her works explores the themes of femininity, black consciousness, racism, family dynamics and spirituality.
Poetry[edit]
In 2003, Ntsiki alongside Lebo Mashile, Myesha Jenkins and Napo Masheane, created the Feelah Sista poetry collective which gave a platform to women’s voices in poetry. As a poet, Ntsiki has performed worldwide at various spoken word festivals in Italy, Jamaica, Tanzania, Belgium, the US, Holland and the Zimbabwe and was part of the cast of the Vagina Monologues. She has hosted regular poetry and music sessions such as Monday Blues, Sheila’s Day and Streetpop, has established and produced the monthly Mama Said. Her poetry anthology Wena[7][8] was published in 2010. It is currently in its second print and has been introduced into the school system.
Beadwork[edit]
She started with her beadwork in 2001. Her beadwork range is called the House of Mobu. Mobu is a Sesotho term for soil. Being an artist who has always been grounded and soulful, Ntsiki chose this name because it reflects a space where she can grow seeds and nurture her soul. It was launched in 2002 at the Hala cafe. Mobu has dressed African beauties such as the Mazwai girls, India Arie, Unathi, Claire Mawisa and the late mam Busi Mhlongo. [9]. Guided by the vision to see more African people celebrating their culture, she seeks to further popularise traditional wear and celebrate African beauty
Activism[edit]
Ntsiki Mazwai is an outspoken voice[10] for women and the importance of education. She uses her twitter account to engage and begin topics of discussion regarding social issues affecting women in South Africa. She is a READ SA Ambassador and has talks with girls to empower them. With the help from Building warehouse she has began a project to build libraries and schools in Soweto[11]
Discography[edit]
- The Masterpiece (2018)
- Ndingubani (2013)
- Ma Miya (2007)
References[edit]
- ↑ Teboho Ramalefane, “NTSIKI MAZWAI” “Radio24, 15 August 2014.
- ↑ Thato Tinte , “Ntsiki Mazwai Bags Her Masters Degree”, Zkhiphani.com, 21 April 2017.
- ↑ News24, “SAMA 2008: Nominees announced” “News24, 14 April 2008.
- ↑ Caroline Nyanga “Queen Mamiya brings taste of poetic music” StandardDigital, 23 October 2009.
- ↑ PA2008 “Ntsiki Mazwai (South Africa)” “Poetry Africa, 2008.
- ↑ Duenna Mambana, Canny Maphanga, “Ntsiki Mazwai On Her New Album, Her Politics And Black Consciousness” HuffingtonPost, 23 April 2018.
- ↑ African Books, “Wena” “AfricanBooksCollective” 2015.
- ↑ Sophy “Ntsiki Mazwai Launches Wena at the Jozi Book Fair” “BooksLive Sunday Times” 13 August 2010.
- ↑ Thebe Events, “NTSIKI MAZWAI FIRES UP THE CULTURAL REVOLUTION AS THE FACE OF BEADEX 2008” “Thebe Events”, 08 May 2008.
- ↑ Carlos Ncube, “Ntsiki Mazwai breaks silence in Done to Me” “MusicInAfrica” 24 November 2017.
- ↑ Kyle Zeeman, “Ntsiki Mazwai helps renovate Soweto school library” “TimesLive”, 06 June 2018.
This article "Ntsiki Mazwai" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Ntsiki Mazwai. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
