HUMA MAKING WAVES
Ex-nanny returns from US to wow SA
IT TOOK a working trip halfway around the world for singer Botshelo Huma to realise her dream of becoming a performer and a recording artist.
Four years on Huma ’ s talent as a singer and live performer will be showcased in the series on Sunday.
The 26-year-old, originally from Rustenburg in North West, left for the US after her studies to work as a domestic assistant and child minder for two years. During the time she spent in Chicago and New York, Huma managed to convince clubs and restaurants to give her a chance to perform.
“I had not done this at home, but holding myself together to sing for people so far from home gave me the courage to want to achieve more in music,” she says.
“The positive response I received from the audiences and music producers in the US made it easier for me to make the decision that I want to be a professional musician.”
The clincher was when she was contacted by house music producer DJ Hypnosis, who saw YouTube posts of her performances in the US.
“He asked me to record a song with him. I did the vocals in New York and sent them over the internet. The song, was included in a Soul Candi ’ s Candi Roots compilation in 2011.” That was followed by vocals on
in 2012, which helped Chynamusiq to bag a Best New Artist award at the MetroFM Music Awards and Something New by Nkokhi in 2013.
This week, including on Youth Day, the petite singer was sweating it out practising with a band for the Sunday concert at the Joburg Theatre in Braamfontein.
The theatre is the brains behind the series, which is in its second year.
“I was selected to be part of the series through a stringent auditioning process. I have thrown everything I have as a vocalist in it because I see it as a platform to advertise my fledgling career.
“I promise to electrify the venue come show day.”
Today she gives music fans a taste of her ability as a singer during Georgie in the Afternoon ’ s unplugged slot on KayaFM.
“The songs are ready but there is still a lot of work to secure proper business for my music. Everything is looking up so far but we are still to finalise agreements.
“It is not enough to jump with joy to be recording when you have not done much to make sure you will profit from creativity and effort.”
Her show starts at 3pm, and tickets sell for R80 at the door. Executive producer of Mesia Gumede, whose company 76 Media co-organises the project with Joburg Theatre, says the programme is aimed at helping exceptionally talented musicians to gain exposure.