Nothembi Mkhwebane

Dr Peki Emmelinah “Nothembi” Mkhwebane is a legendary South African singer, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and cultural icon widely celebrated as the Queen of Ndebele Music. Raised in Carolina, Mpumalanga, Mkhwebane learned traditional Ndebele instrumentation and taught herself to play guitar on a homemade tin instrument as a teenager before moving to Pretoria, where she bought an electric guitar and synthesiser.

In 1980, she formed Nothembi Nezelamani Zakonomazyana (Nothembi and the Siblings), becoming one of the first women to lead, compose, and play electric guitar in a recorded South African band. Fusing signature high-pitched vocals, wailing guitar riffs, and traditional Ndebele rhythms, her discography includes landmark releases such as Vukani Bomma (1995) and Zimami Balibalele (1998). Honoured with the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver for elevating Ndebele heritage onto international stages, Mkhwebane’s master composition catalogue remains a foundational pillar of South Africa’s traditional and world music heritage.

Music Styles:

Multi-Genre

Instruments:

Multi-Instrumentalist