A handful of music lovers gathered at the Look Out Hill, on Sunday November 20, for the launch of La Ntesh’s debut album Wala Ngam.
The Cape’s newest singing sensation and radio personality, whose real name is Nontembiso Ndwandwe, is a star in the making. She is not only a musician, but also a poet.
The launch was attended by, among others, renowned musician Sizwe Zako, Bukiwe Twani of the Joyous Celebration, and Zolani Mahola of Freshlyground fame.
Talking to Vukani about her new offering, La Ntesh said she had had an amazing journey so far.
She started singing jazz at an early age but decided to stop when she was in her 20s – until about two years ago. She attributed her return to the industry to God. “I think I am now in the right space to sing. I have been consulting professional musicians about this baby. But I must say the support given to me on this project was out of this world. I am so happy to finally have the launch. I doubted myself at first, but I can now call myself an artist again,” she told Vukani.
La Ntesh said this has been a significant year in her music career, and that she had had “great people” around her.
Asked about her work, she said she did not want to limit herself to making one particular genre of music.
“I do not want to limit myself. I regard myself as an artist,” she said.
Music producer Sizwe Zako spoke highly of her, describing her as “simply the best”. “She has talent and potential,” he noted.
“She has a different voice, so you cannot compare her to other singers. What I like about her is that she is bold. She keeps her audience glued to her,” he said.
Mr Zako said he was preparing a professional team to work with her and that Cape Town has produced some top musicians such as Brenda Fassie and Ringo Madlingozi.
