Sonti Mndebele

BIO

Sonti Mndebele is an artist from South Africa.

I am Sonti Mndebele, an Afro Jazz singer, songwriter and entertainer with a passion for music, and life.

Here I tell a little bit about myself as a musician.

My musical journey began from my school days and I later became a professional singer in 1974, soon after, I had to go into exile in 1976 and lived in Botswana and later moved to Germany. At the time, it wasn't easy but my gift and love for music has always been a thread that held my life together while away in foreign lands for over 30 years. Being a musician has given me an opportunity to share and make special appearances on stage with International music icons like Peter Gabriel, Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Ritchie, Elton John, Sade, Paul Simon and Donna Summer. In 1980 while in Germany, I worked with the South African German based musical group “Sounds of Soweto” and stayed with them for 2 years before moving to London to join the legendary “Ipi ntombi” Musical for a tour of West Africa. I then met Hugh Masekela through Julian Bahula in London in the 80’s and he invited me to join him on his tour of the UK, Europe and USA. While on tour with Hugh Masekela I met Miriam Makeba in Washington DC and from that moment I was blessed with a rare and humbling experience of working with two South African legends for over 10 years. Other highlights of my career outside South Africa was the world tour with Paul Simon - the Graceland Tour in 1987 where I performed to audiences in Europe, Canada, Russia, Australia, Africa and the USA. I also appeared at the Grammy Awards with Paul Simon. In July 2012, we celebrated the 25th Anniversary of Graceland Tour together with Paul Simon in Europe and the USA. I also performed before Her Majesty, The Queen of England, Prince Phillip, Prince Charles and President Nelson Mandela on the occasion of his state visit to the UK at the Royal Albert Hall. In 2001, I coached and mentored the cast of “Umoja” in the West End, London. Other notable performances were at the Wembley Arena in London, Apollo Theatre and Madison Square Garden in New York with Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel and Grace Jones. I have toured extensively with my band performing in Ghana, Nigeria, Gabon, Togo, Sierra Leone, United Kingdom, Belgium, Greece, France, Hungary, Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands. “ ” I am now back home in South Africa where I belong to share my music with my people. Since my return I performed on various platforms, also performed at Botswana at 50 years, Ghana at 60 years South Africa woman's day in Sweden, Gemany also Cape Town International Jazz Festival, Belgium- Gent festival, Belgrade, Budapest Hungary, Holland