SA: Indigenous bow player Bavikile Ngema dies

The sad news of her passing was announced in a statement by the Bow Conference oganiser and music lecturer Sazi Dlamini.

“I am sharing sad news of Mama Bavikile MaBhengu’s passing last night,” the statement reads. “This followed her gruelling, brave fight with cervical cancer. It is a grave loss, not only for her children, grandchildren, but for all her friends, musical bow players, students and all her supporters in Africa and abroad. We send love to her family at this difficult moment. May her loving soul rest in eternal peace.”

The prolific musician was widely known for playing the uMakhweyana and umqangala musical bows, in addition to the harmonica and indigenous harp. She is also referred to as the custodian of uMakhweyana, being a subject of academic research for some time. 

Born in the Nkandla district of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, in 1951, Ngema has also made notable contributions to building the uMakhweyana instrument, with a strong ability to identify the correct materials to produce the desired sound. 

The Music In Africa Foundation was pleased to work with the music veteran in 2016 during its first Instrument Building and Repair project, in which she facilitated the How to make the uMaKhweyana session alongside Mpho Molikeng.