Lungiswa “Lungi” Songelwa 

Born and raised in the small town of Queenstown, widely regarded as “The Jazz Hub,” Lungiswa Songelwa (33) is the only child of Nokuzola and Mbuyiseli Lionel Songelwa. Her passion for music began at an early age and has been a defining element of her life ever since. In 1993, she joined the choir at John Wesley Methodist Church, marking the start of a lifelong musical journey.

During her childhood, Lungi developed foundational musical skills, including basic piano training, and formed small music groups with her peers. Her talent continued to flourish during her years at Cathcart High School, where she actively participated in the school choir. Driven by a deep love for music, she aspired to pursue a degree in Musicology at the University of the Witwatersrand. However, her mother discouraged this path, believing that music was not a viable career for a young Black woman. Instead, she supported Lungi in enrolling for a National Diploma in Tourism Management, which Lungi hoped would still offer opportunities connected to her artistic ambitions. At the time, Johannesburg represented a gateway for aspiring artists.

In 2002, upon relocating to Johannesburg to study at the University of Johannesburg, Lungi immersed herself in the city’s vibrant music scene. She connected with numerous artists, gaining invaluable experience and exposure. Her dedication to music often led her to participate in various projects, sometimes at the expense of her academic commitments. During this time, she worked as a backing vocalist for several artists, including Sliq Angel, MXO, Vuyo Mokoena, and Wanda Baloyi. Following her return to Queenstown in 2006, after the birth of her daughter, Inam, Lungi became involved with the Together Jazz Band. This experience provided her with a platform to express herself more fully as both a vocalist and a composer. It was also during this period that she met fellow vocalist Tenjiwe Nguna. Sharing a common passion and vision, the two artists formed a duo.

At the same time, renowned jazz musician Madoda “Dugmor” Malotana had returned to Queenstown and was seeking to mentor emerging female vocalists. Under this influence, the duo, later known as NEW DAWN, began to establish themselves within the music industry. In 2012, NEW DAWN recorded an eleven-track album titled “Walala Wasala.” The duo performed on several prominent platforms, including the Chris Hani Jazz Festival, the Grahamstown Arts Festival, and the annually hosted Buyelekhaya Festival in East London.

In 2016, Lungi established Lungi & Friends (Pty) Ltd, a company dedicated to live jazz performance and event management, as well as the development of emerging artists. Through this initiative, she aims to create platforms that nurture and promote musical talent. Currently, Lungi is working towards producing her solo album, for which she is actively seeking sponsorship. The project aims to feature a diverse range of artists, reflecting her commitment to collaboration and musical excellence.

Lunga Tshatshela

Lunga Tshatshela is an upcoming Gospel artist born in 1989. He is born and bred in Mthatha and is currently residing in East London in the Eastern Cape. He started singing at the age of 6 in Sunday school choirs in church. He sang in local community choirs namely Simunye Gospel Choir, Siyaphambili Gospel Choir, as well as Libode SAPS choir. In 2015 due to traumatic injuries, he became blind. That barrier alone led him to press on and excel in praising God and healing people through music, and as a result he became an independent artist. He collaborated and performed with Mdantsane Gospel Choir. At first, Lucky Shongwe and Moberg Mgqobele were his manager and producer respectively.

In 2020, he collaborated with a song producer Soso Mdingi and released his first album titled “VUTHA MLILO”. He performed in Isingqi Sethu Cultural Festival, Clash of The Choirs and many more. He has shared the stage with Betusile Mcinga, Dumi Mkostad, Veliswa Skay, Sipho Ngwenya and many other well-known artists. In 2025, he released his second album titled “SIHAMBA NGENQWELO” which is available in all digital platforms.

Zuko SA

Zuko Kupiso, professionally known as Zuko SA, is a multi-award-winning afro-soul artist from Idutywa in the Eastern Cape. Renowned for his soulful vocals and authentic storytelling, he inspires audiences through music rooted in purpose, faith, and resilience. He is also a sound engineer, producer, singer, and songwriter.

With a powerful and rapidly expanding digital presence, Zuko SA connects with audiences across multiple platforms, boasting over 32.7k Instagram followers, 121k Facebook followers, 164k TikTok followers, and more than 19.6 million total Youtube views. His influence continues to grow as fans engage with his music and message worldwide.