IZWI LAMI (My Voice)
Anelisa “Annalyzer” Stuurman

IZWI LAMI (My Voice) is a new solo performance installation by Anelisa “Annalyzer” Stuurman, a genre-defying Xhosa vocalist and storyteller from the Eastern Cape.


Premiering at the National Arts Festival 2025, this work is a spiritual and sonic reckoning weaving ancestral memory, queer identity, and raw emotion into a transcendent live experience.


Fusing throat singing, Xhosa chant, spoken word, and operatic improvisation, IZWI LAMI unfolds in an immersive soundscape supported by live instrumentation and evocative visual projections. Rooted in indigenous expression yet reaching toward the experimental, this piece is a ceremony of healing and resistance, a space where vulnerability and defiance coexist.

 

This performance is minimal yet potent: a lead vocal, a chair, a projection, and a voice calling through time. IZWI LAMI is not just a performance it is an invitation to listen deeply, feel widely, and bear witness to the voice within.

Production Credits

Anelisa “Annalyzer” Stuurman: Lead Artist & Vocalist

Nick Pitman: Guitarist

Mandla Matsha: Percussionist

Joey Motsa: Violinist

Thabo Pule: Sound Engineer

Anelisa Ramotholo: Project Manager

Mandisi Moeketsi: Assistant Manager

Siwe Memela: Visual Artist and Logo Designer

Silvia Dierkes: Visual Artist

About the Artists

Anelisa “Annalyzer” Stuurman is a dynamic Xhosa vocalist, writer, and interdisciplinary performer whose work bridges ancestral sound with contemporary expression. Born and rooted in the Eastern Cape, Annalyzer’s creative voice is deeply shaped by her identity as a Black queer woman and her ongoing dialogue with spiritual, linguistic, and sonic heritage.

 

Trained in diverse vocal traditions from throat singing and Xhosa chant to operatic improvisation she blends genres with fearless honesty and meditative power. Her performances are more than artistic displays; they are acts of cultural reclamation, storytelling, and ritual. Annalyzer is known for crafting immersive, emotionally resonant experiences that honour indigenous knowledge while pushing the boundaries of form.

 

As both a soloist and collaborator, her work has featured in hybrid performance spaces, festivals, and digital platforms, always centering themes of healing, resistance, and transformation. IZWI LAMI (My Voice) marks her most ambitious solo performance to date — a ceremonial installation of voice, image, and memory.

 

Nick Pitman, a Durban-based guitarist, producer, and educator, has significantly influenced South Africa's music scene. A former member of the Standard Bank National Youth Jazz Band, he's performed at the Oslo Jazz Festival and showcased original music in Cape Town. Following a successful crowdfunding campaign, he released his debut album, "Nick Pitman's Juicebox," in 2024 and toured Asia with "School of Rock." He has also played with the Kwa-Zulu Natal Philharmonic Orchestra and, in 2025, played guitar in "Sunset Boulevard" accompanying Sarah Brightman.

 

Joey de Violinist is a celebrated South African violinist known for his dynamic fusion of classical, pop, and culturally rooted music. A former member of the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra, he has performed extensively across Europe, collaborating with diverse artists ranging from classical musicians to pop stars and traditional music icons. His expressive playing and ability to transcend genres have made him a sought-after performer internationally. Passionate about education and cultural exchange, Joey uses his music to inspire and connect people.

 

Mandla Matsha is a Durban-based musician from the Eastern Cape, proficient in various African drums, indigenous instruments, and music composition. He honed his percussion skills by joining drumming ensembles after moving to Durban. His involvement in performance theatre led to international travel with dance and music companies. Currently, Mandla provides percussion services for workshops, dance, and recording sessions, while also performing his original compositions with diverse musicians.

  • Venue: Thomas Pringle
  • Location: Monument Building
  • Ticket price: ZAR 80.00
  • Programme type: Curated Programme
  • Genre: Music
  • Duration: 40 minutes
  • Ages: ALL AGES
Thomas Pringle
June 27, 2025 20:30 - 21:10
Thomas Pringle
June 28, 2025 19:00 - 19:40
Thomas Pringle
June 29, 2025 19:00 - 19:40