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.
Bongeziwe Mabandla: Bendisiti