NOTHEMBI MKHWEBANE

Peki Emelia Nothembi Mkhwebane was born in Carolina near Swaziland in Mpumalanga on 1st January 1953. She grew up loving music especially Ndebele music.

Her Parents died while she was five years old and left with her grand parents. Nothembi didn't not go to school because her grand parents could not afford school fees, therefor during the day she would look after her grand father's cattle and sheep.

Nothembi was born in a family of music her grand mother taught her to play a reed flute, her sister taught her to play isikumero. Later, her uncle took her to the fields to help with ploughing and during lunch time her Uncle will teach her to play guitar that was made out of an oil tin.

Nothembi learned a lot about the Ndebele culture. She started a musical group called Izelamani zakoNomazlyana. They played at cultural gatherings and weddings.
She bought a keyboard and guitar to compose songs, and then she recorded all the songs she has composed. The problem was finding a record company because she didn't know where to start and when she found it she couldn't read or write and for her signature she signed with an "x" and because of her illiteracy she was robed of her money by record company, that is no longer a problem she is back at school she is in std 9 and she would like to get a degree in music.

Nothembi is well known all over the world in 1988 she performed in New York and London and received an award for the Best Ndebele Song.

Nothembi has recorded many albums over the years:
1984 first album called INTABA AZIHLANGANI
1985 second album called IHLOPHEKAZI
1987 third album called IPHASI LEKHETHU
1993 fourth album called KWAZAM-ZAM
1995 fifth album called VUKANI BOMMA
1998 sixth album called ZIMAMI BALIBALELE
2000 seventh album called SHILANGANI'SIZIZWE her duo with Phuzekhemisi
2001 eighth album called AKANAMANDL'U USATHANA

Nothembi has traveled abroad performing in countries like America, Washington, New York, London, Austria, Germany (vienna) Portugal, Australia (Sydney), and France (Paris).

Awards Nothembi has Won
Woza Africa Foundation Award (USA) in 1988
Femina/NNTV Woman of the 90's 1995
Tourism Ambassador for South Africa in 1998
Mpumalanga, Sports, Recreational Arts and Culture and Heritage Award Professional Music in 1999.
South African Music Award: Honorary Award: BestNdebele music Ikwekwezi FM in 1999.
Bow and Arrow (Best Tourist Ambassador for the month) in 2001.