Mazwai to celebrate power of arts at UN

EASTERN Cape activist-musician Nomsa Mazwai, also known as Nomisupasta, will perform at the United Nations General Assembly in New York in June in a programme to celebrate the transformative power of the arts.

Mazwai said yesterday she was honoured to have been invited by the UN.

Mazwai is an SA Music Award (Sama) winning artist, and a Fulbright scholar with a master’s degree in International Political Economy and Development.

“My musical career should benefit through the exposure. I will get to share the stage with artists from all over the world,” Mazwai said.

“But most importantly, I feel like this is my chance to be an ambassador for South Africa and share my understanding of what is happening in our country.”

Mazwai said it was important for the UN to hear from South Africans and their view on transformation.

“This year, we have seen statues brought down in the name of transformation while, at the same time, being faced by atrocious xenophobic attacks,” she said.

“I have been watching as a young South African and I will be singing about this nation of ours, this international experiment of peace.”

The former managing director of the now defunct Emthonjeni Arts in the Eastern Cape, was also the first woman to be president of the University of Fort Hare’s student representative council.

She is the daughter of veteran journalist Thami Mazwai and the sister of popular Bongo Maffin singer Thandiswa and the poet, Ntsiki.

Mazwai said it was a blessing to be chosen for an international event. “When I lived in the US, I performed quite a few times, so I have a following there,” she said.