Cape Town – Internationally acclaimed musician, broadcaster, and actor Sylvia Mdunyelwa will be laid to rest on Saturday, (2 September 2023), Langa township, in Cape Town.
She was your classic modern-day African Diva.
The world-renowned artist from Langa started her illustrious singing career in the 1970s when she joined Victor Ntoni’s sextet.
Sylvia worked alongside other leading Cape
Town Jazz musicians including the Ngucakana brothers, Ezra and Duke Ngcukana, as well as Winston Mankunku, Nick Carter, and Merton Barrow.
Sylvia was born in the township of Langa in Cape Town more than 50 years ago.
With a career spanning over five decades, “Mama Sylvia Mdunyelwa” was also affectionately known as “Sis Nce” or “Mam Nce” to her Langa community.
To the broader Cape Town fan base Sylvia was simply “Mama Kaap”.
“Mam Nce” had a unique interpretation of jazz melodies and traditional Xhosa songs.
Mam Nce was also involved in developing the talent of young and aspiring musicians.
For example, in 1990 Mam Nce took a group of young musicians to the International Children’s Jazz Festival in Canada.
On her return, Mam Nce was awarded a scholarship by the Educational Opportunities Council.
Subsequently, she went to study at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA).
Mam Nce used this opportunity to polish her skills in music and theater.
Upon her return, Mam Nce was invited to tour Germany where she performed at the Berlin Festival in 1994.
In a May 2020 interview, Mam Nce divulged: “I was listening to the legendary Ella Fitzgerald from the age of seven years, sweetheart”.
She says. “I grew up with jazz music around me. It was all about Ella, Carmen McCrae, and Sarah Vaughan.
“It’s what I do, it’s what I love sweetheart,” she said when asked about her long career.
Mam Nce also shared: “I was singing [Ella’s signature tune] Mack The Knife, even though I did not know the English words.
“I was just a child and I sang just what I wanted to sing.”
Mam Nce was later part of a cultural exchange programme where she went to Bogota, Colombia in South America to perform in 1997.
The following year, 1998, Mam Nce released her album African Diva,
Live in Africa which focused on her performances at the Standard Bank Jazz Festival in Grahamstown.
In 1999, Mam Nce got a contract with Blue Note. The following year she recorded her first studio album Ingoma (Song) which was produced by Victor Ntoni.
Mam Nce used to speak glowingly of acapella groups that
flourished in the townships.
Some of them include groups like the Modern Chirpers, the Harmony
Jigs, and the Semitones who came under the guidance of Victor Ntoni and Aspro Sipoyo.
Mam Nce was awarded the “Golden Guachupe Award” in recognition of her community work in Cape Town, bestowed by the government of Colombia.
Her star continued to shine when she became part of the BBC production of the life of Bishop Desmond Tutu.
Mam Nce presented Voice of Jazz, a programme on P4 Radio, Heart
104.9FM, which is a Cape Town radio station.
She was also a member of the board of Fine Music Radio, a classical jazz station in Cape Town.
Mam Nce also hosted her show on one of the biggest SABC Radio Stations in South Africa, Umhlobo Wenene FM, a Xhosa station.
Although Mam Nce never had formal singing lessons, she made sure that would never be an impediment in her career.
“I got it from my family and from those around me in Langa. Langa was a place of good music in those days,” the legend once said.
Western Cape MEC of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Anroux Marais, said: “Sylvia will be remembered for her powerful voice and charismatic stage presence”.
Marais added: “Her legacy will live on not only through her music but also through the impact she made on the South African music industry and the lives of many artists such as Fancy Galata, Lungiswa Plaatjies, and many more from Langa and beyond.
“She remained involved in her community of Langa, advocating for the optimal utilisation of local spaces such as Guga S’thebe by local artists and community.
“She was a true icon who paved the way for others and who continued to give back to her community.
“Our condolences go out to Sylvia’s family, friends, and all those whose lives were touched by her music.”
Mama Sylvia Mdunyelwa of many names – “Sis Nce”, “Mam Nce”, “Mama Kaap” – passed away last week on Friday after a short illness.
All week tributes have been pouring in for the much-loved artiste and broadcaster extraordinaire.
She will surely be remembered for all the good she did.
