Smama

Artist: Smama

              Singer / Songwriter / Medical Doctor

Born in the Eastern Cape, Smama is a qualified medical doctor with an MBChB degree from the University of Cape Town, though music has always been his first love. It was at UCT where he first entertained the idea of writing songs and later followed by releasing his first gospel project titled “Ndiphelele” in 2012.

Prior to releasing his album, in 2009 Smama had written the song “Ndicel’impilo” for gospel singer Lundi Tyamara. This was followed by two additional songs titled “Ndim Lo Nkosi” and “Ngemini ezinje”.

That year the song “Ndicel’impilo” which he had written for Lundi was nominated at The Crown Gospel Music awards for the Best Traditional Gospel song.   

His personal project Ndiphelele was then followed by a single which was a tribute to Tata Mandela titled “Tata We Need You” with co-singers Thembisile Ntaka and Thulani Mangona. Smama has written songs for some of South Africa’s finest including Berita Ibuyile Inkululeko, Thembisile Ntaka title Angazi Nto, Thulani Mangona & Putuma Tiso on Ndinohambo, Bonakele for Vula Emnyango and Nokwazi title Ndolila.

Smama's latest offering is a song called Ndenzel'umama released in January 2025 and is a heartfelt tribute to his mother who raised him and his two younger brothers as a single mother. The song is rich in afro sounds reflecting Smama's Xhosa heritage. This single was produced by ZukoSA of "Qhawe Lam" fame who also produced Smama's multi-award winning 7 track album named ISIPHO which was released in 2023.                                  The album ISIPHO also earned Smama a SAMA (South African Music Award) nomination in the category "Best Adult Contemporary Album".

ISIPHO boasted a collaboration with two gospel giants Kholeka and Putuma Tiso while also featuring his producer ZukoSA on the track called Thandaza.

Smama has had an honour of sharing the stage with the likes of Jaziel Brothers, Nathi Mankayi, Mthandazo Gatya and ZukoSA.

Deeply passionate about both spheres of being a medical doctor and a singer-songwriter, Smama regards himself a holistic healer for the body, mind and soul.

Healing souls through his clinical skills and music, while embarking on his journey as an Afro-Soul artist with an intention to cement himself in the hearts of many music lovers locally and worldwide.

“There's a lot going on around us and I would like my music to be the safe space one can go to when they want to escape the buzz around them” adds Smama.