Born and raised in the Eastern Cape, Jessica Mbangeni is one of South Africa’s most sought after female Imbongi (praise singer), and has made her mark in male dominated cultural terrain. Invoking the role of this ancient tradition, largely influenced by her grandmother’s isiXhosa storytelling in the village of Nqamakwe, she offers insightful commentary on contemporary affairs. She has performed alongside numerous musical icons, such as Dolly Rathebe and Dorothy Masuka.
Spotlighting Pan-African Poetry
Biography
Jessica Mbangeni
Featured Poem:
Afrika
Afrika nozala wamaAfrika
Afrika nozala womzoNtsundu
Afrika nozala womlisela we Afrika
Zifikile izikrelemnqa zinge zize kuzakuza
Zizenza oonozakuzaku
Yangqisha intomi enkulu
Yakhaba ngawo omane yalandula
bamabhedengu, Ebhibhidl’amazinyo
Ebhud’ebhabhama,exel’umbhali
Wasuka wabhebhetha.
Ebekulukuhl’amalokonya kodwa
Awayilahla imbo yakho ngophoyiyana.
Bebekudova-dova bekunyathela
Bekubiza ngenqkantosi
Mhlab’omnyama, mhlaba wookhokho
Masim’achumileyo, achunyiswe
Kukuzingca nebhongo lamaAfrika
Qhubekani zintondini
Nsni zintokazi
Qhubekani makwedini nani magqiyazana
Nize nimthobele uThixo woyihl’omkhul’uHintsa
UPhalo, URharahab’uNgqika
Ngokuba kaloku liwe phants’iqhinga
Lika mtyholi owabonwa ngumprofeth’uNtsikan’emdudweni
Elokuba nakugqilazwa nenziwe amakhoboka
Yila migegemba yamabhelempu yamahilihili
Amatshinitshini amatshijolo.
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Biography
Jessica Mbangeni
Biography
Born and raised in the Eastern Cape, Jessica Mbangeni is one of South Africa’s most sought after female Imbongi (praise singer), and has made her mark in male dominated cultural terrain. Invoking the role of this ancient tradition, largely influenced by her grandmother’s isiXhosa storytelling in the village of Nqamakwe, she offers insightful commentary on contemporary affairs. She has performed alongside numerous musical icons, such as Dolly Rathebe and Dorothy Masuka.
Featured Poem:
Afrika
Afrika nozala wamaAfrika
Afrika nozala womzoNtsundu
Afrika nozala womlisela we Afrika
Zifikile izikrelemnqa zinge zize kuzakuza
Zizenza oonozakuzaku
Yangqisha intomi enkulu
Yakhaba ngawo omane yalandula
bamabhedengu, Ebhibhidl’amazinyo
Ebhud’ebhabhama,exel’umbhali
Wasuka wabhebhetha.
Ebekulukuhl’amalokonya kodwa
Awayilahla imbo yakho ngophoyiyana.
Bebekudova-dova bekunyathela
Bekubiza ngenqkantosi
Mhlab’omnyama, mhlaba wookhokho
Masim’achumileyo, achunyiswe
Kukuzingca nebhongo lamaAfrika
Qhubekani zintondini
Nsni zintokazi
Qhubekani makwedini nani magqiyazana
Nize nimthobele uThixo woyihl’omkhul’uHintsa
UPhalo, URharahab’uNgqika
Ngokuba kaloku liwe phants’iqhinga
Lika mtyholi owabonwa ngumprofeth’uNtsikan’emdudweni
Elokuba nakugqilazwa nenziwe amakhoboka
Yila migegemba yamabhelempu yamahilihili
Amatshinitshini amatshijolo.
Amazing….i want to to be able to do that one day
Sis Jessie makes me to be so proud to be a Xhosa .she is inspiration I love het