PHUMZILE ZONDO ON AMAWETHU

PHUMZILE ZONDO ON AMAWETHU

BY LUYANDA SIDIYA

ABOUT AMAWETHU

Amawethu tells a human story that seeks to rectify or, rather, to reclaim who we are as a people from our culture and customs – and to correct the distortions that pre-date the African slave trade that led us to believe that African spirituality had a demonic, pagan, uncivilized, barbaric and godless origin.

Conceived, choreographed and directed by Luyanda Sidiya, assisted by Phumlani Nyanga, the piece aims to create a system for the black child to appreciate and learn more about who they are. As a revival of sorts, Amawethu seeks to enact the wealth of character long lost in our customs and way of life.

Luyanda Sidiya is the co-founder of Luthando Arts Academy in Sebokeng, giving back to the community where he grew up. As a teacher and choreographer, Sidiya’s work aims to deepen an understanding and appreciation of African and contemporary dance and music. He was the 2015 Standard Bank Young Artist for Dance.

Phumzile Zondo had the privilege of working with such a director and being allowed to compose and arrange music with great musicians like Xolisile Bongwana (vocalist),Thokozane Nsibande (Percussion), Bafana BK Ndhlovu (Bass), and Mama Drum (Congas) for Amawethu , and it panned out to be a spiritual growing and nurturing experience.

Below is a link to a rehearsal  before the show ran in Makanda Arts FEstival 2019 ,with Phumzile Zondo in Collaboration with Luthando Arts Academy.

The title of the song is

Uzuri - meaning beautiful in Swahili is Xolisile Bangwanas brainchild and the accompanying musicians helped co-compose and co-create the final product.

https://www.facebook.com/luyanda.sidiya/videos/10157558060993408/

below is a link from an Audience member who caught the closing glimpse of the show when it returned to  the State Theatre in 2019.

https://www.facebook.com/mamela.nyamza/videos/10156077751726277/?t=2

In November 2019 

Luthando Arts Academy and Phumzile Zondo celebrated the unveiling of a mural painted by Angola and South Africa (Dbongz Mahlathi) at the Iron Palace in Luanda...

sharing a stage with the likes of Thandiswa Mazwai.

Dancers

Simphiwe Nkosi, Thulisile Binda, Phumlani Nyanga, Promise Magopa, Jabulani Christopher, Kwazi Madlala, 

Mahavatar Ramaine

uMaZondo ongumZulu

INYANGA YESAKUFUMBATHISWA

YAMASIKO

NOBUCIKO

NEFA LAKWANTU

(heritage month) 

Soze sabheka phezulu emafini nxa sifuna ubuhle nobukhulu bakho, siyaqonda ukuthi uyithi kithi, phansi emhlabathini nasekujuleni kolwandle. Ungamandla. Ungukukhanya. UnguMuntu. Ungumhlabathi

NgingumZulu wakwaZondo, onguMaZondo ozwalwa nguMaThusi, ikhwane elimhlophe elizalwa uMaPholoba, uMaShiyamahle ngathi azoshumayela, owayezalwa uMaMkhize .

izithombe ngu Sibu Nzuza

B E A U T I E S . B E R R I E S . A N D . B E A D S .

O N O B U H L E

 IZINDONI ZAMANZI 

 NOBUHLALU

Est 2019 

P H U M Z I L E  Z O N D O

Inkondlo  yonobuhle sibuyisa ithemba esifazaneni. Sibuyisa isimilo, nokuzithanda aphinde azazise ukubaluleka kwakhe. 

Phumzile Zondo , Zandile Ngwane (dancer , actress) , Mbali Ngidi ( singer, dancer) photo by SibuNzuza

UNGUBUHLALU

MNIKAZI WENHLIZIYO YAMI

STHANDWA SEMPILO YAMI

SIZATHU SOKUMAMATHEKA KWAMI

UYITHEMBALAMI

IZIBONGO ZONKE ZADALELWA UKUBONGELA WENA

IZIMBONGI UKUHAYELA WENA

NOBUHLE, UKUNAMATHELA WENA

NJENGEMBALI EQHUMA EQHEKEZE UMHLABATHI OQINILE

EHLUMA EGQAME

EZIMPANDE ZAYO ZIGXILE EKUJULENI KOMHLABATHI 

ENGAZANYAZANYISWA ZIKHUKHULA

EBENYEZELA OKWEZINKANYEZI PHAKATHI KWAMABILI

INSIKA YENDLU 

UJIKA INDLU IBE IKHAYA

UMA UKHONA WENA MBALI EDINGA UKUKHOTHANYELWA 

KUGCWALA IMFUDUMALO

NGOBA MBALI EQHUMA IQHEKEZE UMHLABATHI OQINILE

AWUSOGABADI NAMHLABATHI OGUGULEKA KALULA

UYIMBHOKODO.

UNGUBUHLE 

UYINDONI YAMANZI

UNGUBUHLALU

Umlobi wenkondlo

PHUMZILE ZONDO

Yasungulwa ngonyaka ka 2010 ebhalela unina wakhe.

Phumzile Zondo , Mbali Ngidi and Zandile Ngwane

Here is some information on B E A D S

Let's look at waist beads. Many African tribes wear waist beads for different reasons... Here are a few 

• "As a symbol of femininity and sensuality, only the partner a woman chooses would have the honor of seeing them fully.
• As a sign that a woman had reached marriageable age and could now have suitors
• Strung with bells, to show that a woman was still pure as at the time of marriage.
• Worn on babies during naming ceremonies, some say; to accentuate their waistlines and hips as they grow.
• As a weight measure; when gaining weight, the belt of the beads climb up and when you lose weight, it falls elegantly on the hips.
• Upon addition of precious stones, waist beads take on healing or rejuvenation qualities; depending on ailment or what needs to be enhanced (i.e. love, physic powers, balancing), various semi-precious stones can be included in the design of your waist beads".

DANCING.  BY. THE. LAKE.

T H I S .  I S.  A Z A N I A .

YOU ARE BY NO DOUBT A BEAUTIFUL SUMMER SCENT MAZONDO

P H U M Z I L E   Z O N D O

MFAZI 

UYIBHONGI

UNGUMLOBI

UWUTHANDO

UNGAMAKHA ASEHLOBO

UNGUYEZI NEYEZA ELILAPHA IDLISO ESIZWENI ESIMPISHOLO

UYINDUKU EBUYISELA IZINDEBE EMABELENI ONINA , EKHIPHA NEZINKOMO OGIBENI IYOZIFAKA ESIBAYENI

UNGUMAZONDO

UMAMTHIYANE USOKHULU KANDABA

UMUHLE MFAZI 

NDONI YAMANZI

IZWI ELIMTOTI ELIGELEZA OKWAMANZI

MFAZI 

UYIBHONGI

UNGUMLOBI

UWUTHANDO

UNGAMAKHA ASEHLOBO

PHUMZILE ZONDO in Poet in A Suit

You Are Beauty , Berries And Beads

YouAreWordsOnStrings

YouArePhumzileZondo

P H U M Z I L E Z O N D O- WOS

P H U M Z I L E   Z O N D O  

 E Z I N K O N D L W E NI

N E M I L O L O Z E L O

"WHEN POETRY AND I MET

I BECAME POETRY AND SHE , I".

POETRY REVIVAL in Newcastle KwaZulu Natal. Poets in no particular order.
Lady-Afrika Sindiswa Zulu- POET and AUTHOR of MAYINE. Abalobi . Xolile VIlakazi - POET and AUTHOR of INTABA YASESAYONI.  Dokotela . Page Ngwenya POET and HOST of SUNDOWNERS DURBAN. Mtitilizo.  Kwazi Ndlangisa of TEA TIME POETRY with KWAZI NDLANGISA.  Luleka Mhlanzi. Zamoh Cofi.

Page Ngwenya reciting ..... "ngingumZulu nami". 

Phumzile Zondo reciting........"  Ithuba".

 Ithuba

Uyazi, ngadela konke

Uthando nempatho yabazali

Ngathwala ikhanda ngilandelana nawe

Sehla senyuka, siwa sivuka

Sibambene ngezandla

Amehlo egcwele uthando, izinhliziyo ziphuphuma injabulo kodwa izisu zilambile

Kwakuwuthando lweqiniso

Singenalutho kodwa, iZulu leli noMhlaba lona kwakungokwami, ngokusho kwakho

Abazali laba engabashiya bephoxekile, behlekwa izwe babezoxola, ngok'bona kwakho

Ukuzwa ukuthi uyangithanda kwakungenelisa, buyisa nethemba

Ngangimuhle ngimekahle , uyazi ungeke waphila ngaphandle kwami

NgiyiNdlovukazi, uNok'khanya ohlobisa impilo yakho

Safika lakhona ukusa kwakungabonwa, la khona lalihlezi lishonile ilanga, lalihlezi ling'shonele mina

Ngaqala ngazizwa ngimncane, ngangabonakala, Hawu! Sengiyisidina? Usung'phathisa okwesitsha somchamo phela usefikile uNokwanda

Yafik'indodazi

Le owawuthi iyozalelwa ezweni lesethembiso

Le okwakumele kube eyethu, eyami nawe kodwa sekungeyami, eyami ngedwa

Ngyazisola manje, seng'celithuba

Umzuzwana nje, angsanandaba nothandolwakho, yazi ang'nandaba nalelo zulu nalowo mhlaba!

Ithuba nje kuphela

Lokubhalela abazali incwadi encane ekhaya, ngizixolisele ngokubhunguka neslima sendoda ebese ngiyacela ukuba umntwana futhi

Ithuba nje kuphela, ilona eliyonginika intokozo yengunaphakade

Lentokozo le ongakwazanga ukunginika yona.

Inkondlo uPhumzile Zondo

WHEN SHE DANCED IN LONDON - ZILE ZONDO

P  H  U  M  Z  I  L  E     Z  O  N  D  O

DANCING IN LONDON

in a Winston Ruddle production Mother Africa
KHAYELITSHA MY HOME

DANCE WITH THE TREES , IN THE WIND  

DANCE WITH  THE HAND PAINTED STEEL DISHES FROM COUNTRIES WE CALL HOME.

DishSpinningAct by Osah Evans  from Ivory Coast . Spotted on the Left Silethemba Magonya - Singer , Dancer , Mother and  Phumzile Zondo as we see her on the Right

DANCING IN THE LIGHT

DANCE WHEN WORDS DON'T SEEM TO FIND YOUR TONGUE

DANCE TODAY. DANCE . YOU STILL HAVE TIME.

D A N C E

T O 

 M Y  W O R D S   ON  S T R I N G S

DANCING THROUGH SPIRIT WITH OTHER SPIRITS IN HUMAN FORM

From the LEFT
Hadija Hassan ( dancer - Tanzania) Secky Hamadi ( B-Boy, Acrobat, Dancer- Tanzania based in the USA) Aisha Mohamed (dancer , acrobat - Tanzania)  the late Clive Madlala ( Dancer, Choreographer and our very own iThonga  - South Africa -May his soul rest in peace ) Phumzile Zondo
Charlie Machete ( B-Boy, Acrobat, Contemporary dancer and photographer -Tanzania) Noluyanda Mqulwana ( Ballet dancer, Choreographer - South Africa based in Germany)

''GIDA KUBE NGATHI UYAQONDISISA UKUTHI LOMZIMBA SIWUBOLEKIWE''.

Hadija Hassan ( dancer - Tanzania) Secky Hamadi ( B-Boy, Acrobat, Dancer- Tanzania based in the USA) Aisha Mohamed (dancer , acrobat - Tanzania)  the late Clive Madlala ( Dancer, Choreographer and our very own iThonga  - South Africa -May his soul rest in peace ) Phumzile Zondo
Charlie Machete ( B-Boy, Acrobat, Contemporary dancer and photographer -Tanzania) Noluyanda Mqulwana ( Ballet dancer, Choreographer - South Africa based in Germany)

"Ngoma Yami uhuba kuphi na? Zinyawo zami uyogida kuphi na? Nobani na?

Mzimba wami uyovuma yini ukuwezwa ulwandle? Bathi  oSokotshane kaNdaba uyathanda na? Bazokubheka ungakhathazeki nasemathafeni aseLandani. Bazokuthanda na kwelikaQueen Elizabeth bayokuzwa na? Ngizibuza singihlebele isithunywa Sami ,sithi ngoba wena waPhum'zu Gogo ,ungakhathazeki.

Gibela Sana lweKhwane elimhlophe iLandani yamangisi ikulundele ".

I DANCED

AND SANG

AND ROAMED THE LONDON STREETS 

LIKE I WAS BACK HOME IN SOUTH 

AFRICA.

THEY WERE WITH ME.

THEY ARE ALWAYS WITH ME.

''imina kubo, nabo kimi'.

P H U M Z I L E Z O N D O

W E  A R E  W O M E N

S I N G A B A F A Z I 

Busiswa ' matshaps' Tshapha (left)

Mary Boledi Aphane (right)

Photo credit : Smanga Zondo

Phumzile Zondo Performing one of her beautiful creations -

T A M A T I S O.

With DANCERS she calls sisters and friends in the ARTS.

The love and connection between the ladies on stage is contagious and undeniably genuine. 

We've witnessed their chemistry more than once, after this amazing Production Ebuthongweni , we had the honor of watching them Play, Sing and Dance together  at the SAWAF2018 In the Production Ndoni .

Here are some of the pictures taken from Ndoni by SMANGA ZONDO

BUSISWA 'MATSHAPS' TSHAPHA singing another composition by Phumzile Zondo - Ibhabhalazi (opening scene )

A trio by Aphelele Nyawose (white dress)

Matshaps (black dress ) and Phumzile Zondo

and we see Mary Boledi Aphane (red dress) in the background

Photo credit : Smanga Zondo

UMAMTHIYANE NEMVELAPHI YAKHE

Okhokho

noMkhulu

noBaba abangizalayo.

Ukhokho yena

NguMshayiwezitha! 

Usimangodonga bagwazudonga!

Unduku zasala ematholonjini kumshayi wezihambi kwaNsele!

Owayeganwe amakhosikazi amane,

UMaMnyangu, uMaMthethwa noMaDube ababili.

Yena wazala indodana yakhe endala UMkhishwa,

Uqoveqove umkhovu omdala awusathunywa eKloof , umakhathakhatha muthimuni!

Yena owayelanywa uNengwayini, onguMkhulu ozala ubaba ongizalayo.

UGqamuzamapatsha!

Ingane izophuma entanyeni, uMkhovu bhajiwe!

Elanywa uMthubeni ,abathi uGadlakanye! uSenziwanjani, Labantu sebefikile sizobenzanjani ?

Babekhona bebaningi kodwa ngiphuma nalaba abathathu.

Ebese bona bezala obaba  abasizalayo, njengo baboMdala uThanduyise 

UMancinza ayiyeke, iyesokeni.

Ebese kuba ubaba ongizalayo ke mina Phumzile Zondo

uSimangankalo , umachusha ngentuba emzini wendoda ngoba esaba imkhonto nezagila, uXam'uthuke kabi ngoba uthukele esizibeni! UMpangele yeswele uhlamvu!

Special Thank you to Mr R.S Zondo

for the beautiful ancestral  information, Praise poetry of where we come from and who we are .

Zimnandi izibongo zabantwana baMshayiwezitha.

Photo Credit Claudi - Taken at the Peacock Theatre London

P H U M Z I L E Z O N D O

K W A S U K A S U K E L A  N GO  M A Z O N D O

Poet, Singer , Songwriter , Guitarist and Performing artist . Phumzile Zondo introduces a musical genre that she refers to as 'words on strings' in which you  find elements of African jazz , Mbaqanga ,that playfulness of Traditional isiZulu nursery rhymes with melody and Poetry all fused into song.

Throughout the years of her career till date she has toured locally and internationally to

New York city -Performing at the New Victory Theatre,

London- The Peacok Theatre

Germany, Switzerland , Swaziland, Spain ,Zimbabwe just to mention a few as a Singer , Dancer , Poet And guitarist.

She was part of Poetry Africa 2016. Polokwane Literary Fair  held in 2016 and 2018.

South African Women's Arts Festival 2018 in a Piece by #SBYAA Musa Hlatshwayo  (Movement extraordinaire, Choreographer, Director) Ndoni .

2019 - Makanda Arts Festival with a Production Amawethu by Luyanda Sidiya . A Shifter of Space and Time in directing and Choreography.
2019- South African State theatre Performing Amawethu by Luyanda Sidiya

2019  - Angola South Africa Cultural exchange where she shared the stage with the likes of Thandiswa Mazwai .

2022 - She is currently working on a Special project by NuroGroove an EP to come soon with Ubizo A composition by Zile Zondo but this time in a different Light. this track will be by @nurogroove @linosrosetta ft @zilezondo Titled “uBizo” which has already been played last year on @kunyerecords live stream with @sunelmusician and Also supported recently in @u.r_home with @noxiousdeejay 

and is also featured on DJ Kabila's upcoming album to be released in April 2022.

• 

Photo cred: OsmosisLiza

Amongst other great names in this broad  industry she has worked with 

Winston Ruddle-Mother Africa (Germany/Zimbanwe) (African Circus Director) ,

Madala Kunene ( African music living legend ) who also worked with her late Mother Rhee Thusi as she was a backing vocalist for him and the Legendary Busi Mhlongo .

Steve Rnb ( Tanzania) appeared on the award winning Uhlanga- the mark by Ndaba ka Ngwane (movie) and Kulcha kwest  SABC one documented her musical journey on fusing her sound with Maskandi music.

Photos by OsmosisLiza from Musical dance production by #SBYAA Musa Hlatshwayo , EBUTHONGWENI.

W O R D S     O N      S T R I N G S 

A Powerhouse. A dynamite.