It is time to indulge in the brewing pot of the UKZN’s African Music Project as it presents the best of its ensembles – an exceptional production by Dr. Innocent Mutero, Mr. Matshitshi Ngema, Ms. Thobekile Mbanda and Ms. Nozuko Nguqu.

This semester’s Lunch Hour Concert is a production of both instrumental and vocal music spiced up with Zulu dance styles. This concert’s repertoire varies from Umakhweyana bow music, Mbira music, Umvumo and Ingoma song-dances, as well as Amahubo songs. You are welcome to join us and enjoy the magical hour with us at:

Venue: University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Theatre

Time: 12h15 – 1:05pm

Date: 19th May 2025

Entry: FREE!!

A Monday mid-day has never been this soulful and at the same time so vibrant. Don’t miss out!!

For more information contact: Dr. PA Opondo at opondop@ukzn.ac.za and Ms. Thulile Zama on 0312603385

FOUNDATIONAL PERFORMANCE SKILLS A (AMD Foundation Ensemble)

AMAHUBO ENSEMBLE: The amahubo ensemble was set to explore arranging and performing of amahubo. The module introduces the students to structural and textual analyses as well as performance culture and technique of three categories of amahubo:

1. Ihubo lempi (war song);

2. Ihubo lesizwe (regional/ceremonial anthem); and

3. Ihubo lomgcagco (wedding song).

Participation in this ensemble helps to develop skills applicable song arrangement and professional indigenous African music performance, while learning about the sub-genre’s origin and characteristics enables the mastering of the ‘style performance’.

NGUQU SHORT BIO: Nozuko Nguqu, an Eastern Cape born Indigenous African Music and Dance practitioner and educator is a passionate individual offering ten years teaching music who is currently pursuing a PhD study at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Her involvement with several local theatrical groups and bands has shaped her artistry and musicianship and she prides herself in the performance of indigenous African music substyles, such as Maskandi, Umvumo song-dance and Mbira music.

PERFORMANCE SKILLS 1A (AMD First Year Ensemble)

INGOMA SONG-DANCE ENSEMBLE: The ensemble work fuses three types of Zulu dance: Umzansi, Isigenyane, and Ushameni. It is aimed at equipping students with skills applicable to Maskandi performance culture and general professional indigenous music performance while enriching their ability to perceive the distinction between different Maskandi guitar tuning techniques that derive from Ingoma. Moreover, the ensemble is set to produce students who can, beyond performing, analyze the dance styles and the elements that underlie them, such as the distinction between introductory sequences, singing the call and response, and izihasho (praises).

NGEMA SHORT BIO: Matshitsh'anolwazi Richard Ngema, famously known as Matshitshi, is a multi-talented Maskandi guitarist, composer, actor, and choreographer. Ngema hails from Mthunzini, KwaZulu-Natal. His experience as a resident performer at Shakaland Cultural Village and Tourist Attraction landed him professional roles, such as teaching performance skills at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He focuses on the Maskandi guitar and Ingoma and Umvumo song dances.

PERFORMANCE SKILLS 2A (AMD Second Year Ensemble)

UMAKHWEYANA BOW ENSEMBLE: This semester, our Umakhweyana bow ensemble focuses on blending tradition and innovation. Students are developing technical and expressive skills through solo and group performance, while exploring 1980s Zulu musical bow styles alongside modern interpretations by contemporary Umakhweyana artists. The goal is to deepen cultural understanding, build confident stage presence, and foster creative expression that honours tradition while encouraging personal voice and reflection in performance.

MBANDA SHORT BIO: Thobekile Mbanda, passionately known as Ntomb’Yelanga, is an indigenous instrument maker, player of these instruments and researcher. She is a passionate author of isiZulu children’s books and founder of Abancane Art Academy. Through her company, Mmaletstatsi Productions, she creates cultural learning tools, crafts traditional instruments, and leads workshops that revive African heritage. Dedicated to empowering youth and preserving indigenous knowledge systems, she blends storytelling, music, and education to inspire pride, identity, and creativity in the next generation.

PERFORMANCE SKILLS 3A (AMD Third Year Ensemble)

MBIRA ENSEMBLE: The mbira ensemble focused on Nhare Mbira (Mbira Dzavadzimu) and Nyunga Nyunga Mbira, blending traditional and contemporary performance approaches. Working in small groups, students cultivated technical skill, rhythmic precision, and harmonic interplay while exploring the instrument’s cultural and aesthetic dimensions. Students had space to bring in their Zulu culture, and express it creatively through Zimbabwean mbira music, blending personal identity with tradition. The ensemble will present 3 songs, Gandanga Vanokaiwa and Bunga Utete.

MUTERO SHORT BIO: Innocent Tinashe Mutero is a Zimbabwean-born musician, playwright and academic whose work bridges traditional music, particularly mbira, with research in public health and wellbeing. With a foundation in theatre and screenwriting, and PhDs in Ethnomusicology and Peace-Studies, he uses music and storytelling as tools for improving health outcomes and for s