Zawadi Yamungu Champions Indigenous Instruments in Modern Music
Award-winning musician and instrumentalist Zawadi Yamungu is on a mission to ensure African indigenous instruments remain alive in contemporary music. At 33, the Mandeni-born artist is among the few musicians who still master instruments such as the Umakhweyana, hand pan, penny whistle, and Udu. She performs these instruments live, combining them with modern sounds to create a distinctive musical experience that honors tradition while appealing to current audiences. Zawadi emphasizes that preserving these instruments requires active use in performances and recordings so that their sound continues to influence music for generations.
Zawadi, whose real name is Nkosingiphile Mpanza, won Best Female Musician at the 2024 Women in Media Awards in Ghana. She will embark on the Ngimuhle Album Tour, including a live show at The Playhouse in Durban on Saturday, 7 March. Her debut album, Ngimuhle, released in 2025, features a blend of indigenous and modern instruments, giving listeners a rich, textured sound. Zawadi believes that live performances provide a deeper connection with fans, allowing audiences to experience the music as it was created in the studio with her band.
She stresses the importance of integrating indigenous instruments into modern music to prevent them from disappearing. By combining traditional instruments with contemporary ones, Zawadi creates a sound that is both unique and enduring. She explains that even after her lifetime, listeners will recognize the presence of these instruments, preserving their legacy within the evolving music landscape. Her approach highlights how cultural heritage can coexist with innovation without being lost to time.
Since starting her professional career in 2016, Zawadi has performed a wide range of indigenous music, including pieces linked to Princess Magogo, mother of the late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi. Her expertise led to an invitation to perform Princess Magogo’s songs at the memorial service of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi in Ulundi, KZN, in 2023. On her debut album, she reworked Princess Magogo’s song “Ngithethelele,” demonstrating her commitment to honoring and preserving traditional music while introducing it to modern audiences.
Zawadi Yamungu continues to push the boundaries of Afro-indigenous music by blending old and new, ensuring that the cultural and musical heritage of South Africa remains vibrant. Her live performances, tours, and recordings serve as a platform for indigenous instruments to be celebrated, heard, and appreciated across generations.
