Madosini

Madosini Manqina (born 25 December 1943, died 23 December 2022), or simply Madosini, was a South African indigenous musician.

In a sombre or spirited tune, she blew musical wisdom onto her instruments inciting an emotive response from audiences local and abroad. Born in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, she was a South African national treasure and one of a few artists of her generation keeping the torch burning for traditional Xhosa music. She was a singer belonging to the Nqcoko Cultural Group specialising in overtone singing and a composer known for playing indigenous instruments such as the Uhadi (music bow), Umrhumbe (mouth bow) and Isitolotolo (Jewish harp).

After making a few great but oscure recordings in the mid-1970s Madosini disappeared into the Transkei. In 1995, Madosini was visited by Dizu Plaatjies and Mzwandile Qotoyi, who invited her to work together on the recording of an indigenous album complimented by members of Amampondo and Cuban master Congalero Changuito. Madosini's solo album 'Power to the Women' (1998) was released on the Melt2000 label to great acclaim and firmly placed her amongst the stars of World Music.

During her career, Madosini toured the globe with Amampondo. He music is used on many documentaries and films and samples of her music are used by popular groups. In 2008, she was the first person to be recorded and documented for the WOMAD festival’s Musical Elders Archives project. She received a honorary doctorate from Rhodes University in 2022 for her immense contribution to South African traditional music.