Eastern Cape star sings for Queen Camilla
Eastern Cape rising star Unathi Timiti is making waves in the UK with her traditional Xhosa music, having recently performed for Queen Camilla, wife of King Charles.
The singer, whose stage name is LinRic Toto, has been introducing the singing style known as uKombela to new audiences abroad.
Last year, she received an SA Gospel Recognition Award for promoting cultural music abroad.
She said her success had fuelled her ambition to make Xhosa music known and loved around the world.
Timiti, who was born in Mdantsane, said joining the entertainment industry and singing in her own language had not been planned.
“It was by chance. When I came to the UK I missed the music and the way we sang back at home. When I settled, I gathered some South Africans and we created a group called The Annointed, and we performed around the UK.
“We recorded an album called Intando, and that’s how my music came about,” she said.
She has lived in the UK for two decades with her husband and three children.
She said writing songs in the uKombela style came naturally to her.
“It’s because I was exposed to it from my childhood, and it felt so comfortable, and the genre shows off ubuXhosa bam [being a Xhosa woman].
“I have been away from home for so long, but what keeps me grounded in my roots is part of living the genre,” she said.
“As soon as I crossed those seas, I vowed to let them know about our people, our sounds, as much as I can, and tell them about the traditions and cultures of our beautiful country.”
Timiti has collaborated with other artists in SA, including Vuyani Shollo, popularly known as Vee. She also launched an album, Ungubani (who are you), a few months ago.
She said the highlight of her career so far had been performing for Queen Camilla.
“I’ve had an opportunity not only performing but also to speak with the queen. That vow I made as soon as I crossed the sea is in motion in a way I did not imagine.”