Wandile Mbambeni on faith, storytelling and the power of live connection

Originally from East London, which he affectionately refers to as KuGombo City, Mbambeni traces his musical instincts back to storytelling rather than genre. “I like to tell stories first and then the music comes,” he says. “I make country blues, soul, Afro and folk music, everything that revolves around soul action.” Resistant to labels, he describes the acoustic guitar as his creative anchor. “That’s the instrument that genuinely takes me to a singer-songwriter space,” he adds.

Faith, the acoustic guitar and country music

Mbambeni’s relationship with acoustic music began in church, where he was introduced to the Anglican faith through his mother. Watching a school friend play guitar during prayer sessions left a lasting impression. “We would have prayer on the second break and he would bring his guitar and we would sing and worship,” he recalls. “That was my introduction to the acoustic guitar. It was spiritual. It was inviting. It was warm.”

His understanding of country music deepened later through international exposure, particularly during a Nashville production. “A show called My Kind of Country was my introduction to traditional country or Americana,” he explains. “That experience opened my mind and my ears to what country truly is.” He believes the global appetite for country-blues and related styles continues to grow, especially as audiences seek authenticity.

Darkness as a creative turning point

One of the most defining periods in Mbambeni’s life came during a prolonged season of grief and doubt, following the deaths of several peers in the music industry. “I was already in that dark space, questioning God, asking how He could allow this,” he says. What felt like four or five months of emotional heaviness now registers, in hindsight, as a brief but intense chapter.

That period gave rise to Hey Lord, a song marked by vulnerability and spiritual honesty. “In the same song, I’m apologising to God for questioning Him,” he explains. Fear initially delayed its release. “I only released it two and a half years later because I worried people wouldn’t understand the space I wrote it from.” The response has been enduring. “People still message me saying they listen to it every morning because it heals them and gives them strength,” he says. “It just shows that God can turn your darkest moment into something else.”

Before music became central, Mbambeni imagined a future shaped by rugby. Transitioning away from sport created tension between public expectation and personal identity. “I didn’t know what I was doing for a long time,” he admits. Over time, clarity followed. “I realised I don’t have to fit into a box. I enjoy music, sports and the gym, and these worlds can meet.” That self-acceptance now informs his creative philosophy. “The best thing I can give the audience is being true to myself and honest in the storytelling.”

Live performance and community

Intimacy remains central to Mbambeni’s approach to live shows. He often hosts his own performances to maintain a direct connection with listeners. “I want to speak to the people who enjoy the music and grow the audience,” he says. That same impulse led to WM Sessions and his weekly TikTok Live every Wednesday evening. “I want to understand who the fans are and remove that wall. That’s why I do TikTok Lives,” he explains, describing the space as a growing family.

Despite steady growth, Mbambeni believes his music still occupies a niche. “I think I’m still niche to a lot of people,” he says, partly attributing this to gatekeeping within the industry. “Someone once told me they only gatekeep great artists. I understand that, but don’t keep me niche for too long,” he adds. “There’s more of us.”

Looking ahead

Mbambeni is set to headline his own show on 28 March 2026 at Artistry in Sandton, a venue he first performed at last year. “I loved how the space felt,” he recalls, “like we were all in a big lounge in someone’s house.” Community remains the focus. “It’s going to feel like a group of friends, because it’s completely people who enjoy my music.”

As he prepares for the performance, Mbambeni continues to lean into the qualities that define his work: thoughtful storytelling, soulful restraint and a commitment to building meaningful, human connections, one song and one room at a time.

For more information about the event, here.