Nombasa

Nombasa’s origins are in Makhanda (formerly known as Grahamstown), Eastern Cape. She is a singer, songwriter and possesses vast gifts in arts and audio production. Her music is a fusion of sounds immersed in modern Afro Soul and Acoustic folk. A talented performer, she writes emotionally evoking songs and some speak to South Africa’s current socio-political issues and the vast fabric of its identity. At times it becomes a challenge to pin down her genre and sound, in this case any receiver or listener of her music would be left to their own categorical interpretation. Apart from being a performer creative, Nombasa is an academic and takes a cumulative interest in studies of music culture.

This songstress has shared stages with the likes of Msaki, Asanda Mqiki, Zahara, Nkunz’ eMdaka, Blessing Chimanda, Vusi Mahlasela, and others. In 2016, On her debut performance in the Fringe programme, Makhanda National Arts Festival, she managed to scoop a standing ovation award followed by the Cape Fringe Bronze award. Nombasa also scooped another Standard Bank Standing Ovation award at the Makhanda National Arts Festival in 2022

Nombasa is passionate about cultivating a culture of song writing and has shared her time with different youth groups from different regions through running workshops. These include some student from Access Music Project (AMP), Isangqa seNkcubeko and Global Sojourns Giving Circle. Nombasa believes everyone has a voice and power to write songs and hopes to develop communities in music practice. Her EP titled ‘Nombasa’ came out in June 2022.

Career Highlights
2016 - Won Standard Bank Standing Ovation Award (Makhanda National Arts Festival)
2016 - Appeared on Morning Live
2017 - Fringe Fest Award
2018 - Invited to be part of the Golden Key Society & Awarded Scholarship
2019 - Invited to be part of the Golden Key Society & Awarded Scholarship
2020 - Invited to be part of the Golden Key Society & Awarded Scholarship
2021 - Founded Nombasa M Productions Pty Ltd
2022 - Won Standard Bank Standing Ovation Award (Makhanda National Arts Festival)
2022 - Released Music EP
2023 - Joined Jazz Against Apartheid
2024 - Awarded the Samro Music Creation Support Fund
2025 - Presented a performance at Women In Arts Manyano (WIAM) courtesy of Mandela Bay Theatre Complex