Nomfundo Xaluva-Dyantyis: The manifestation of presence through song

Ataya: HUMA Interdisciplinary Seminar Series

Speaker: Nomfundo Xaluva - Dyantyis, SACM - University of Cape Town

Bio: Nomfundo is a multi-award-winning Jazz vocalist, composer and academic. She has released 2 albums under the Universal Music Group. She is a senior lecturer in Jazz Studies at UCT’s South African College of Music where she graduated with a Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies (Cum Laude). In 2018, Nomfundo was awarded a full academic scholarship by the Henley Business School where she graduated with an Executive MBA in 2021. Both a performer and educator, Nomfundo has been invited as an artist in residence at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music. As an educator, she headed the Vocal Department at the prestigious Cape Academy of Performing Arts for 5 years ending in 2015. Nomfundo is the former Vice Chairman of the SAMRO Foundation Board. Having performed in Europe and the US, local appearances include the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, Durban Jazz Festival, iMbokodo Jazz Festival, Joburg Arts Alive as well as an expansive list of corporate clients. Nomfundo’s research interests lie in the intersection where the art of music meets the world of business as well as the repositioning of South African Jazz in the academy. She is a member of the UCT Next Generation Professoriate programme.

Topic: Ndilapha is the title track of my 3rd studio album independently recorded and due for release mid-2024. Ndilapha means “I am here” in isiXhosa. This project’s intention is to express the various manifestations of presence through song. Having last released an album in 2015, my recorded music has and continues to stand in the gap for me during periods of physical absence from the stage. In this seminar, I will be sharing not only excerpts from the new music but also the inspiration and the songwriting process, outlining the key themes which include loss, motherhood, black womanhood, love, and legacy. It is my fervent hope that through my songwriting I can (re)create a space for black women to reflect and celebrate themselves authentically without the pressure of hyper visibility often pursued through reductionist meanings of presence. In a milestone year for me, this album is the perfect reminder to myself that I am here, in my way and I am enough.

How Ataya works: One presenter and their work – in exchange with the audience. Each Ataya session engages with selected work by the presenter (a text, artwork, performance, even food). The presenter introduces their work and grounds the subsequent discussion with the participants. For best engagement, we recommend participants to view the work (made available in advance on our website) before the session.