Bongeziwe Mabandla: Bendisiti
This week focuses on artists we discovered while in South Africa during Design Indaba 2014
Seamlessly blending lyrics in Xhosa and English, Bongeziwe Mabandla’s heartfelt folk music explores his journey from a rural town in the Eastern Cape province to a prestigious film school in Johannesburg—all in the context of post-apartheid South Africa. “Bendisiti” puts Mabandla’s richly textured voice and penchant for infectious rhythms on full display—drawing on influences like Lauryn Hill and South African Xhosa vocalist Simphiwe Dana. A symphony of acoustic guitars and down-tempo hand-drumming alongside Mabandla’s welcoming voice lulls the listener off into a contemplative state, making multiple listens a necessity.
