Singing The Gospel - Mdantsane's Born And Bred Star Khanyisa Sabuka Nkantsu

We are proud to introduce you today to Gospel star-Khanyisa Sabuka Nkantsu because Khanyisa can not only sing but she is an impressive lady and a genuine Mdantsane product!

The article was written by a 2^nd year WSU journalism student Annelisa Nkqubezelo.

 

Eastern Cape based gospel star Khanyisa Sabuka Nkantsu, born and bred in Mdantsane, continues inspiring many through her music. She now holds an honorary doctorate in music which she received from a Durban- based Bible College.
“As an artist it is very rewarding to know that people recognise your work and appreciate it.

I was very happy to receive this honour and this has motivated me to continue doing the best for my fans,” she said.
Her singing career began 35 years ago, at the age of seven. She sang in school choirs and dedicated her musical talent to the church. She is now one of the top gospel stars in the province.
Her career blossomed in 1995 when she became the lead vocalist of the once popular group Youth with Mission.
She went on achieving popularity across the country. She recorded her first solo album in 2003. She has now seven albums to her credit and has sold over 250 000 copies. She is a born again Christian who sings not only to entertain but to preach the gospel as well.

Khanyisa Nkantsu on stage – she is more than a gospel star. She is also a composer, a producer, an artist, a wife, a mother, a government employee and holds an honorary doctorate in music by a Durban-based Bible College. Image Anele Sabane

Besides her musical career she works in the Department of Social Development as a chief social worker. She graduated at Fort Hare University with social work honors. She continues to follow after her name “Khanyisa” which means bringing light. She brings hope to other people’s lives and lends a helping hand to local charities.
“I have been doing this job for the past 16 years and it is so rewarding to see a person smile just after you have finalised their social-grant application,” she said.
She lends a helping hand to local charities and has started a project where she visitsorphanage homes and delivers groceries. Khanyisa believes that God has blessed her to be a blessing to others.

For Khanyisa the road to the top has not been easy but she admits that her faith has kept her going. “Along the way I have met people who tried to discourage me but through believing in God I have been able to overcome all challenges,” she said.

Khanyisa comes from a religious background and both her parents are born-again Christians.
Her mother is the founder of the gospel group Christ Ambassadors. She has recorded her albums at YWB productions under the management of her brother Mzi Nkantsu.

Her brother Mzi Nkantsu said: “Khanyisa is a God-fearing woman; she is firm and stands for what she believes in. She is very involved in her ministry and her strong attitude helps her to have breakthroughs in life.”

Khanyisa is a composer, a producer, an artist, a wife, a mother and just an ordinary government employee. Regardless of her busy life she manages to create time for her family and ministers to her church and community.

She continues delivering the best for her fans. Her latest album “Amandla Ovuko”, which means power of resurrection, has been well received by her fans.

Her fan Xoliswa Gubela said: “When I feel down and need upliftment, I sing along and dance to her music as it revives my spirit. I can’t wait for another album. She is one of my favourite local artists who makes me love Gospel music even more.” – WSU-SNA

Interview With Ali Of The Imonti Jazz Band

Some serious drumming has been going on at the Mdantsane Arts Center

During our last unannounced visit to the Mdantsane Arts Center we met Ali and sort of hi-jacked him by dragging him into a music room and forcing him to give us an interview. Ali stands for musician, music instructor at the Mdantsane Arts Center and founder of the Imonti Jazz Band.

Ali Of The Imonti Jazz Band

"This chair," Ali said by pointing on something that looked like a mixed media art piece, like something that is still work in progress," this chair is not supposed to be here".

"Ah, OK."

"No really, this chair is not supposed to be. It is one of my friends chairs and he wants to upholster it. But he still has not collected it. You know how it goes!"

We had not even paid attention to the chair, but here it was and it obviously bothered Ali. But it did in fact look cool. It belonged there in that room with the seriously beaten up drum and the micro.

This Chair Is Not Supposed To Be Here! Says Ali!   

The chair, the micro and the drum were the first three things when we entered the music room and Ali, they all belong there! 

The Drumming Station

"Tell us a little bit about your music Ali".

"I have my own band, I founded the Imonti Jazz Band," Ali says.

"Why Jazz Ali, that's unusual, you are still a young guy and the whole township is into house now. Is Jazz not the domain of elderly guys?"

"That's right, but you know, I found my way into Jazz because I had to find something that is compatible with my soul and with me as a person. I was listening to Kwaito and to Hip Hop but I am a sort of mellow person. When I wake up in the morning I can not listen to Kwaito. I have to get up and hear some soft soothing sound. I really came to love jazzy bluesy music. And I begin my day, every day with it."

"How is the work with the Imonti Jazz Band going?"

"We are practising as often as we can. As often as we can, we come together and we make music. We did not succeed in getting a record contract yet. In this sense the township is underdeveloped. You have to make it first somewhere else, even in Europe or in the US before people recognize your talent here in South Africa.

We have heard that before from other musicians!

Teacher And Student At The Mdantsane Art Center

"And what about your work as a music instructor at the Arts Center here in Mdantsane?" 

"I have been involved in music my whole life and since a while I am a teacher here at the center. The students come after school to learn how to play different instruments and to make music".

"Do you think that music has a healing effect"?

"Music is such a powerful thing. Living and growing up in a township, young people are exposed to many bad influences. I am not talking bad about my kazi but although things are changing here, there is still the danger lingering that young people might be influenced in the wrong way and end up in criminal activities. 

Jobs are scarce, money is scarce and so... what do you do as teenager? You have been stimulated and manipulated by the media and television day and night, that you need certain things to be considered acceptable in society but you do not have the money to buy them and worse looking around you - it looks everywhere the same. 

And then there is the question, where do you go after school. You do not really want to go home. So, the shopping mall is a place where you can be happy. But only for a short time because more desires are created, that can not be fulfilled."

Making Music Is Healing And Prevents Crime

"Is your music class frequented a lot"?

"Oh yes, that is what I am saying, the Arts Center is a place where you can come to after school, it is an alternative to being on the streets. It is a place where you can develop your talent. It is just because of the rain today, that students are coming late. 

We have an open mind to practising. You have to feel music first before you can make it. So we talk also a lot about music".

The Specators

"Will you play something for us now, Ali?"

"Oh, I don't have my guitar with me".

"There is one in the corner".

"But it has got only four strings", Ali said.

"Come on Ali, give it a try,.....please!

"Oh, my god with only four strings".

"Come on please".

"Ok, if you want me too".   

And the students love his song played on a four stringed guitar

Ali played for us one of his own songs, a love song called Wasuka Wandishiya. He played it on an out of tune (that was very hard to tune), four stringed guitar and it still sounded beautiful! That is what you can call a full blooded musician!

Of course we taped it and it became part of our documentary movie Mdantsane Another African Story.

Ali And The Four Stringed Guitar

And we made him listen to his own song!

Ali surprised about the quality of his music

Ali and LordAxHooper

Thank you Ali for your time! 

The Chair