Everyone knows that when travelling to new places, the best spots to visit aren’t the ones easily found on the web. It’s all about local favourites – those true hidden gems that make the place unique for its own inhabitants. In our Hometown Hotspots series, we’re catching up with musicians around the world to find those gems on a personal tour through their own cities.

Bongeziwe Mabandla has captured the hearts and minds of audiences worldwide with his soul-stirring music and poignant storytelling.

This South Africa-born artiste defies boundaries and genres, blending traditional African sounds with modern folk and indie elements to create a unique musical experience.

Since his breakthrough in 2012 with his debut album Umlilo, Bongeziwe Mabandla has garnered critical acclaim and numerous accolades. This is in addition to Mangaliso (2017), IiMini (2020), and only very recently, AmaXesha.

Mabandla’s new single, “Ukuthanda Wena”, is certainly worth a listen – as is his upcoming show at London’s 100 Club in June.

LIFE IN JOHANNESBURG

Johannesburg is my favourite city in the whole world mostly because this is the place I became an artiste and this is where I got recognition and appreciation first. I have been living here for 20 years now, and I fell in love with this city when I came to live here in my teens.

I mostly love the energy this city has and how it has the potential to make dreams come through for people, I knew this and that is what drew me to this exciting city. I love how artistically expressive it is.

People here are always on the look out for the next great thing.

The song that reminds me of Joburg has to be Thandiswa Mazwai’s “Nizalwa Ngobani?”, which is a song I fell in love with in Joburg and it always makes me re fall in love with this beautiful and magical city.

AN EATERY YOU’D FEEL HOMESICK FOR: CHICKEN LICKEN

It probably has to be Chicken Licken, which a South African fast food franchise. Not the healthiest food but extremely delicious and a favourite for a lot of people and one that can get addictive.

I often think about Chicken Licken when on the road and craving that South African taste.

YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO PERFORM: GUILD THEATRE

Has to be East London’s Guild Theatre. I love performing there because it’s a chance for my family to come see me because they live there.

It’s amazing to feel seen and acknowledged by your own people and I feel this venue represents that for me I grew up in East London and would go pass the venue not knowing one day I will be able to play there.

I would say the one song that reminds me of this place has to be East London-raised artiste Msaki “Fetch Your Life”, which is one of my favourite songs from South Africa.

YOUR GO-TO FOR LIVE MUSIC: UNTITLED BASEMENT

Untitled Basement has to be one of the places I enjoy watching other artistes. I have seen so many incredible bands at this venue.

I think the location in Braamfontein is perfect for capturing the culture of the city. The room downstairs where performances happen is excellent because it gives the performances such an intimate feeling.

I would say the song that reminds me of this place is Gloria Bosman’s song because I saw her last here before she passed away and I will always think of her when I go there.

YOUR SECRET SPOT FOR NEW VISITORS: THE WHIPPET

The Whippet. I always bring my friends and family here mainly because of the great food and friendly staff. It also has the best mimosas to me in town.

To me, the place gives a very modern twist to the city – and that’s why my song Noba Nangathini is perfect song that reminds me of the place.

THE ONE PLACE YOU HOPE WILL ALWAYS STAY THE SAME: PARIS

Paris is really refreshing for me. It's very interesting to visit a place that is very different from where you come from. I find the differences and similarities between South Africa and France very fascinating. I find the people have different ways of expressing themselves.

The song that reminds me of Paris has to be "Lipém" mainly because this is where I discovered Blick Bassey the Cameroonian artist.

Follow @sol.soundoflife on Instagram to find out how you can win tickets to catch Bongeziwe Mabandla Live this coming 1st June 2023 at 100 Club in London. Scroll down for the giveaway's terms and conditions.

This feature of Behind the Songs was created with Misfit Publicity

Listen to Bongeziwe Mabandla’s picks with KEF

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Cover Credit: Travys Owen

Writer | Kevin Yeoh

When he isn’t making sure Sound of Life stories are published in a timely manner, Kevin enjoys wandering aimlessly in Kuala Lumpur city, going down the YouTube rabbit hole and discovering new music.

Bongeziwe Mabandla Live at the 100 Club, London Ticket Giveaway Terms & Conditions

Organiser

This Bongeziwe Mabandla Live at the 100 Club, London Ticket Giveaway is organised by Sound of Life and Misfit Publicity.

By participating in the Giveaway, you are agreeing to these Terms & Conditions:

Eligibility

1. This Giveaway is open to all participants in the United Kingdom only.

2. To be eligible, participants in this Giveaway must:
a.. be 18 years of age and above.
b. have a valid Instagram account.

3. The following persons are not eligible to participate in the Giveaway:
a. Employees of GP Acoustics Group and/or its affiliates, and their immediate family members.
b. Employees of Misfit Publicity and their immediate family members.
c. Agents, sub-contractors, and vendors directly involved in this Giveaway.

4. The Organisers reserve the right to disqualify any participant or reject any entry at any time of the Giveaway if the entry contains:
a. obscene, vulgar, offensive or otherwise inappropriate language, imagery or material profanities
b. comments or actions which appear to be discriminatory of any person, or group of individuals (racist, sexist or homophobic in nature)
c. promotion of illegal or unlawful activity
d. promotion and advertisements of any goods or services to solicit purchase

Giveaway Period

5. The Giveaway begins on 17^th May 2023 and ends on 24^th May 2023 (at 11:59PM).

6. Any entries submitted on or after the Giveaway period will not be accepted.

Giveaway Mechanics / How to Participate

7. Follow @sol.soundoflife on Instagram

8. Tag a friend in the comments of the Giveaway post

Winner Selection and Winner Announcement

9. One (1) lucky winner will be selected at the end of the Giveaway Period.

10. Winner(s) will be selected based on the criteria determined by the Organisers in its sole and absolute discretion.

11. The Organisers will either announce or notify the winner(s) via the Organisers’ social media accounts and/or other owned platforms within seven (7) working days upon the end of the Giveaway Period.

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13. In the Notification, the Organisers may request for personal information from the winner(s) for verification and/or prize delivery arrangement purposes.

14. Attempts to contact a winner will be made twice, failing any response after three (3) working days of first contact attempt, the Organisers reserve the right to choose and notify a new winner.

Prizes

15. One (1) winner will receive 2x tickets for the Bongeziwe Mabandla Live at the 100 Club, London event happening on the 1^st June 2023.

16. Prizes are non-exchangeable, non-transferable and no cash alternatives will be offered.

17. Prizes are awarded on an “as is” basis.

Other Terms 

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