Abahambayo

Abahambayo is a live band that fuses Maskandi, Marabi, Afrojazz and Zulu storytelling to showcase our rich heritage through a uniquely South African soundscape.
Abahambayo comes from KwaZulu Natal on the east coast of South Africa, where the great Zulu and British empires met, shook hands and decided to fight!
Abahambayo is the Zulu word for ‘those who are on a journey’. The music tells the story of that journey, the painful/triumphant passage from conflict to unity of the Rainbow Nation.
Nhlanhla Zondi, The Zulu Shakespeare is the principal composer and song writer of Abahambayo. His lyrics recount stories from Zulu folklore to remind people of their disappearing culture while making subtle commentary on contemporary South Africa.
Frankie Buthelezi, The Voice of a Thousand Angels is the band’s lead vocalist. While she learned her craft singing along to the radio, she is a trained actress who works in educational theatre in underprivileged schools. Her musical talent and theatrical training provide a treat for both ears and eyes!
Barry Clausen, known as Barrybass is a farmer from KwaZulu Natal who absorbed Zulu culture and rhythms as a child from old FM radios playing on the family farm. Classically trained, Barry has one ear in African and one in European music traditions.
Albert Chemane is an Applied Ethnomusicologist, drummer, percussionist and educator, born and raised in Maputo, Mozambique. He has a lifelong passion for the dance-drumming-singing traditions of Mozambique. An active performer and advocate, his drums bring a taste of tropical heat to Abahambayo.
As William Shakespeare himself would have hoped, the music of the Zulu Shakespeare, through the musical sorcery of Abahambayo speaks of love, tragedy and comedy, while challenging and healing the nation.
But most importantly, Abahambayo will have you dancing and singing like Amabutho! This is our promise!