MADALA KUNENE
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Madala Kunene (affectionately known as "Bafo") is a legendary South African musician, singer-songwriter, and master guitarist hailed as the "King of the Zulu Guitar." Born in Cato Manor, Durban, in 1949, Kunene began playing music as a child, crafting his first guitar out of discarded oil tins and wire. Over a career spanning more than six decades, Dr. Kunene pioneered "Zulu Blues," a soul-stirring musical genre that merges traditional Maskandi rhythms, acoustic folk, blues, and contemporary jazz harmony. His hypnotic finger-picking, meditative vocals, and spiritual stage presence have earned him international acclaim as a living archive of South African cultural heritage
ZAWADI YAMUNGU
BIOGRAPHY
Nkosingiphile Mpanza, known as Zawadi Yamungu, is an ancestral musician from Mandeni, South Africa. Her music fuses traditional African sounds with Afro-jazz, soul and electronic fusion. Her voice is a bridge between past and present, sharing stories of healing, unity and empowerment. She is recognized as a leading voice in contemporary African music and will be performing at Visa for Music.
FARAI MATAKE
BIOGRAPHY
Farai Matake is a Zimbabwean-born, South Africa-based singer-songwriter, mbira player, guitarist, percussionist and composer. His music blends African Folk, Indie, African Jazz and World Music, creating a distinctive contemporary African sound. Through the Farai Matake Trio, he combines mbira, guitar, percussion and vocals to deliver captivating live performances. Farai has shared the stage with acclaimed artists including BCUC, Vusi Mahlasela, Nduduzo Makhathini and Mbuso Khoza, and has collaborated with internationally acclaimed drummer and producer Makaya McCraven. His performances include Bushfire Festival, Fête de la Musique, Afropunk Battle of the Bands and Mapungubwe Festival.
PILANI BUBU
BIOGRAPHY
Pilani Bubu is an award-winning South African vocalist, songwriter, performance artist, storyteller, and creative entrepreneur. Her signature sound bridges Afro-jazz, folk, soul, and blues with expressive spoken word and vocal poetry. Grounded in cultural preservation, narrative depth, and social consciousness, Bubu uses her conceptual albums to explore identity, heritage, womanhood, and self-discovery. Her breakout project, Folklore – Chapter 1, earned her the South African Music Award (SAMA) for Best African Adult Contemporary Album. Her broader discography includes projects such as Journey of a Heart, Warrior of Light, and Lockdown Lovestory, as well as international collaborations. Pilani Bubu's dynamic live performances have graced stages across Africa, Europe, and North America. Beyond her music career, she leads storytelling workshops, lifestyle design projects, and creative arts mentorship initiatives globally.