It’s time we discussed Ikati Esengxoweni

IkatiEsengxoweni joins the long leniege of South African alternative outfits such as Masauko Chipembere and Neo Myanga’s Blk Sonshine and the recently revived Kwela Sekele’s Kwani Experience. This dynamic collective, made up of a choir master’s daughter, Lark Wantu and former Riebeek College Girls High School Choir member and film production, sound engineering as well as theatre experienced Anam Manyati hails from Uitenhage and Port Elizabeth respectively.

Like most alternative bands, Ikati Esengxoweni’s rise has been pleasantly and beautifully marred with an unconventional approach into the music industry. These range from intentional use of indigenous languages such as Xhosa, Bemba & Swahili fused with violins, bass and indigenous instruments to create a futuristic sound. Their journey which started via a chance meet at a Uitenhage event in 2013, includes being handpicked by IMEXSA (Independent Music Exporters South Africa) to perform, network and attend business conferences specifically at Primavera and Midem in France, in 2016.

These winners of the 2018 Afro Punk Battle of the bands competition which led to them being selected to perform on the main stage at the APF in Johannesburg will be speaking to Slyso on Umhlobo Wenene FM’s #IQL (Iqonga Labatsha) this Friday the 22^nd October 2021 at 21h15.

The interview will be around their latest single “The Cradle of Humankind” as well as their upcoming showcase at the Constitutional Hill on the 27^th November 2021. They will be joining some of South Africa’s music royalty, such as Thandiswa Mazwai, Stogie T (Tumi of Tumi and the Volume), Sampa The Great and more.