Introducing the showbiz class of 2021 – Sowetan culture vultures Emmanuel Tjiya, Patience Bambalele and Thango Ntwasa make selections of the six rising stars to watch out for next year.
- Azana, 20 – Music
Singer-songwriter Azana’s husky soulful voice has defined the house music zeitgeist during the national lockdown, especially after dropping her 14-track debut album Ingoma in July. The offering has peaked at number one on Apple Music in countries including SA and Botswana.
Her ethereal and soothing sound is the reason Mzansi can’t get enough of her smash hit Your Love. When the Durban-born songbird gets in studio with regular collaborator Sun-El Musician, the magic of Ngize Ngifike and Uhuru is the end result.
Her take on unrequited love in Ngize Ngifike is heart-warming, yet heartbreaking.
"I'm definitely one to watch in 2021 and all the years after that. My music is a teacher and healer. And music is not all I have to offer, I love and enjoy the arts as a whole," Azana says.
"This year has been a beautiful year for my career and interesting year for me. Seeing things lift off and people picking up the music and enjoying it."
- TK Sebothoma, 26 – Television
Sebothoma first demanded the attention of many television viewers in season one of The River as Happy in 2018. As the juvenile delinquent son of Flora (Tinah Mnumzana) and Andile’s (Lunga Mofokeng) love interest he had viewers glued to their screens as one of Lindiwe’s (Sindi Dlathu) rivals. It ended in tears for the character when Lindiwe killed Happy. But we could never forget Sebothoma’s unflinching screen presence.
This year, he scored big with lead roles in BET Africa telenovela Isono and Ferguson Films' Netflix series Kings of Joburg .
“I believe I still have a lot to offer and a lot of people are only starting to notice me now. I hope next year they will see even more of me,” Sebothoma says.
“My career has been a rollercoaster, there have been times where I wanted to leave the industry and times where I get the affirmation that makes me believe I’m doing the right things and this is where I belong. It’s really one long ride but I’m enjoying it.”
- Wendy Gumede, 27 – Social Media
It isn’t often that talented screenwriters take the screen and make an impression as impactful as their work behind the camera. In the case of Isibaya screenwriter, Gumede, that is the case. Ending 2019 as part of the telenovela’s writing team, Gumede slowly built her own notoriety in a starring role as Nolwandle. All while this was happening, Gumede steadily grew social media fame for her Instagram and Twitter pages titled The Black Wendy.
In her videos, Gumede takes clips of local and international celebrities which she reimagines with voiceovers, either making the moment funnier in Zulu. While making videos that are reminiscent of dubbing albums via cassette tapes are the last avenue one would expect someone to create a business venture, Gumede has since created videos using her format to promote for DStv, Netflix SA and Savanna Comedy Club with Comedy Central.
- Palesa Mazamisa, 37 – Theatre
Award-winning playwright, producer, and theatre director Mazamisa has proven to be a force to be reckoned with. The published author, whose work has featured in numerous publications, has been making inroads as a playwright and director. Having written plays such as Bubbly Bosoms and No Laughing Matter, two years ago she ventured into directing, making her debut with Shoes & Coups that had a season at the Market Theatre in Newtown. The play won Best New South African Script Award and Best Supporting Actor Award at the Naledi Theatre Awards last year.
The same show made it to the 2nd Annual Voices International Theatre Festival that took place in Jersey City in October. During lockdown, Mazamisa presented another spellbinding show, Lazy Boy, that featured Zikhona Sodlaka. “I like writing about issues that impact us socially and also politically. I like to take both subjects and bring them down to a personal level for people to relate. Sometimes I like drama and a bit of subtle humour,” says Mazamisa.
- Samkelo Xaba, 22 – Fashion
In a year that seemed would destroy the fashion industry, if not leave it permanently scarred, SA Fashion Week (SAFW) went into a standstill during the lockdown. While SAFW has been a great platform for established designers to flex their skills, it has also become a springboard for new designers to pave the way. Boasting the likes of Rich Mnisi as one of the many scouting competition winners in the past, unisex designer Xaba, who is the brains behind menswear brand Boyde, is slowly becoming one to watch.
Xaba won the SAFW Scouting Menswear competition. Focused on sustainability, Xaba creates clothing that is timeless and tailored with expert precision. His winning collection took street wear and his sharp tailoring to create a collection of colourful unisex clothing aimed at men. Deconstructing the smaller elements of fashion design allowed him to create functional clothing that can go from work lunch to turn up in the blink of a well-styled eye. Xaba’s collection also reflected his pathos for sustainable design.
- Dada Khanyisa, 29 – Art
Khanyisa’s presence has been felt in the visual arts within a short space of time. Getting a solo exhibition is a feat in the art industry that comes after years in the industry, but Khanyisa has already had two. Khanyisa has exhibited both locally and internationally, won art competitions and has already scored a residency in Miami, US. The first solo titled Bamb'iphone was staged in 2018. Art critics have praised the artist for the colourful acrylic and mixed media on wood which spark conversations.
Through art Khanyisa captures the now. The second solo exhibition was held at Michael Stevenson Gallery in Johannesburg, titled Good Feelings, in March.
“I am focusing on the abstract, the emotional aspect of people and how they relate, not just depicting pretty people … Sometimes people look pretty and then the card will decline,” Khanyisa explains the inspiration behind the exhibition.
Khanyisa has participated in group shows including Heroes: Principles of African Greatness in Washington DC, and was commissioned to produce a 35-metre mural painting at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg.
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