The Nathi and Zonke show
Music lovers face tough decision on Friday
East London music lovers are in for a treat on Friday as two of the country’s biggest artists, Nathi and Zonke, will perform at the Guild Theatre and The Venue@Hemingways.
The two award-winning Eastern Cape-born musicians are in the city for one night only.
Nomvula hitmaker Nathi Mankayi will be launching his new album Iphupha Lam at the Guild and Zonke Dikana will have her One Night With Zonke show at Hemingways.
Nathi’s live show will feature his sister, Dare to Dream winner Amanda, already a star in her own right, It starts at 6pm. The soft-spoken Nathi guaranteed his fans a great performance.
“It is going be a memorable night, that I can promise,” he told the Dispatch this week.
“My supporters will see the best of Nathi. It is a few songs I perform with my sister – most of the time I will be alone.”
The 10-track album, his third, was released under his own label, Mankayi Media.
The Maclear-born Nathi established his company after parting ways with Ghetto Ruff.
“Having your own company helps in terms of knowing how your album is doing, rather than relying on someone else to tell you that you have sold this much, which is information that you are unable to even question,” he said.
Nathi said the album, which was released in August, was doing well and was already approaching gold status.
“I am very happy with the support my supporters have given me since I started singing,” he said.
Nathi said his journey since he burst onto the music scene has not been easy.
“There were times where I thought of quitting, but it is my calling, and the love of what I do keeps me going. But above all that, it was my fans, who kept on encouraging me.
“I will forever be grateful for their support.”
He said the album was not much different to the previous albums in terms of the message and sound.
“The slight difference is that this one is a bit more up-tempo, but it is still the same old Nathi they know,” he said.
He said East London was among the cities around the country that he would be touring during the launch of his album.
“I cannot wait to be there. I have performed in East London a couple of times and the support has been overwhelming.
“I am hoping for a full house,” he said.
General tickets are R200 and VIP R300 at Computicket.
While Zonke has been hyping her show on social media, she could not be reached for comment as her public relations team did not reply to an e-mail requesting comment.
She declined to comment via WhatsApp, preferring that the questions be e-mailed.
Tickets for the show, which starts at 8pm, are between R250 and R400.
There were times where I thought of quitting, but it is my calling, and the love of what I do keeps me going