A local Worcesterite now living in Cape Town is excited to showcase her talent and will be releasing her new EP in March.
Born and raised in Zwelethemba, Zandile Morate (20), always had a passion for music. From a young age, she would sing at every opportunity, whether it was in church, at school or at home. Her talent was undeniable, and it didn’t take long for people in her community to take notice.
As Zandile grew older, her love for music only intensified. She would spend hours practicing her vocals, learning how to play different instruments, and writing her own songs. Her dedication paid off when she was invited to perform at local events and even won a few talent competitions.
Despite the recognition she received, Zandile knew that she needed to pursue her dreams of becoming a professional musician beyond the limits of her home town. In 2021, she moved to Cape Town, the bustling city known for its thriving music scene, in hopes to pursue a career in music.
“The transition was not easy, but I remained steadfast in my pursuit of success. I started to perform at various venues in Cape Town, including small pubs and bars, and even landed a few gigs at festivals. I wanted to make my mom and sister proud. They always believed in my dreams,” she told Standard.
Her soulful voice and unique sound quickly caught the attention of music lovers in the city, and her fan base grew.
Now, after a year of hard work, Zandile is set to release her first album, which she has been working on for the past year. The album is a reflection of her personal experiences, including the challenges she faced as a young woman trying to make it in the music industry and to say no to challenges she and her peers faced.
“Drugs, alcohol and sex derailed the lives of many who lived in my area. Gangs and violence also played a huge part in how we were raised and a level of caution we had to endure. My album titled, The things I wish I’d never knew, is a reflection on my upbringing, but a message of hope is also contained within the music,” she adds.
Zandile says that her home town has been an integral part of her journey, and she acknowledges the support she has received from her community. Her family and friends have always been her biggest supporters, attending her shows and sharing her music on social media. She also credits her upbringing in Worcester for shaping her sound, which is a fusion of traditional South African rhythms with contemporary influences.
As Zandile prepares to release her album, she is excited to share her music with the world and hopes to inspire other young people to pursue their dreams. She hopes to continue making music that speaks to people’s hearts and minds and to make a positive impact on the world.
“In my community we had different role models. For me it was my grandmother and my mother. I also had great influences at school and at the art centre I regularly attended, but we have to elevate the voices in our community to create universal role models – influencing the youth in a positive way. That is who I would like to be.”
Zandile, who still regularly visits Worcester, said that this is only the beginning of her career.
“I am busy setting up a public profile on social media and getting all my ducks in a row. I have a few gigs coming up and hope to have a launch party in Worcester if possible.”
Her album will be released on streaming platforms on 14 March.
