JAZZ legend and retired linguist, Nonzwakazi Nguna, was among five well-known Komani artists who received top honours at a prestigious jazz festival this past weekend.
The provincial Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture (DSRAC) bestowed honorary awards on Nguna, Sipho ‘Dr White’ Lisa, Zola Mtiya, Lizwe Oliphant and Sphango Thabo, at the annual Chris Hani Jazz Festival for their valuable contribution towards the development of jazz in the region.
The theme of the festival was, “Together celebrating our rich heritage in the year of indigenous languages” – paying tribute to the International Year of Indigenous Languages, as declared by the United Nations General Assembly.
Veteran linguistic and language master, Nguna (65), a former IsiXhosa and English lecturer at the University of Fort Hare and later manager in the faculty of social science and humanities, first started to sing in the church choir with her parents in the early 1960s.
In her prime, she travelled the length and breadth of the country and was sought by established ensembles like the Black Slaves and The Era.
Her big break came in the 1970s when local legend, Sindi Makroti, submitted her name to a Gauteng-based talent manager, Madoda Ndlazulana, who promoted and managed the Jazz Ministers.
At the same time, Nguna shared the stage with an American jazz star at the Orlando Stadium.
According to Nguna, a qualified teacher, her career took an unexpected turn when her manager died from a stab wound during the promotion of a show.
“I had to pack my bags and return home,” she said. “I continued my studies at the University of Fort Hare, and later was employed by the institution.”
Determined not to give up on her career as a musician, Nguna continued to sing at special events over weekends – and is still doing so today. Her successful music career also opened the door for her to pursue acting, as she landed a role in a TV drama on SABC2, called Liwekude Emthini.
Portraying the role of a young musician, her character had to dethrone an up-and-coming musician who had little to no regard for others.
“The lesson she had to realise was about all her wrongdoings along her way to stardom, and the fact that she went against her parents’ beliefs,” said Nguna.
