The pop evangelist

If you googled Yoza Mnyanda this time last year, you would find her not-so-basic basics: She’s a 24-year-old aspiring cinematographer and graduate of the University of Cape Town’s film school.

While studying she spent some time establishing herself as a jazzsoul singer with a sultry braggart voice reminiscent of Lebo Mathosa, doing a few cover videos and voiceovers for Superbalist.

Growing up in East London, in a home where the likes of Letta Mbulu and Caiphus Semenya soundtracked her childhood, Mnyanda began cultivating her love for the arts when she was a child.

“I was always into drama and music in primary and high school. I always leaned towards the creative side. Then when I was done with school, I went on to study film and media production and did music on the side.” thing I’ve been through or something someone around me has been through ... I don’t really believe in making anything that doesn’t leave you with at least one question. Even if the question is, ‘What on earth was that?’”

In November last year, music channel TRACE partnered with the Gauteng Film Commission to give young filmmakers an opportunity to showcase their work. Mnyanda was one of the three candidates chosen to create a film of less than five minutes that advertised the Trace Roots Music Festival while telling an African story.

These short films were aired on TRACE for public voting. The winner received backing to produce a 20-minute film to be shown on all TRACE platforms in 2018.

“I chose to profile an artist that was performing at the festival, Sho Madjozi, and my piece won. That’s how the documentary came about,” says Mnyanda.