Muneyi

BIO

Muneyi’s music is a gift one that holds space for healing,
reflection, and an unfiltered exploration of the human spirit.
Rooted in storytelling, his sound is an intricate weaving of
childhood memories, folktales, and the wisdom of his elders,
blended seamlessly with contemporary textures. His voice carries
the weight of lineage, yet it is undeniably his own raw, tender, and
unwaveringly honest.

A multifaceted, Standard Bank Young Artist for 2025, the multi award-winning artist, Muneyi’s artistry transcends
language. His songwriting, recognized by the 2024 PanSALB Award,
is deeply personal yet universally resonant. His debut album,
Makhulu, released in 2021, explored themes of love, loss, and healing
with the kind of depth that feels both ancient and strikingly present.
In 2023, he followed up with the EP For The Boys I Like, an intimate
project that peeled back layers of love, sexuality, and abandonment. His 2025 self reflection and self forgiveness project There's A Burning Sensation Where My Heart Used To Be is his latest offering, giving us warm, singer-songwriter energy.

Born in Tshilapfene, a small village outside of Thohoyandou in 1995
and raised by his grandmother in a religious neutral household. It
was his love of language which came to the fore firstly with debate,
public speaking, ready and spelling bees in primary and secondary
school. Upon finishing school he picked up the guitar for the first
time and found a home to express his own narrative, in the language
of Tshivenda.

He has shared stages with some of South Africa’s most relevant artists: Sho
Madjozi, Msaki, Zoë Modiga, The Muffinz, Nduduzo Makhathini,
Buhlebendalo, Nonku Phiri to name a few. With collaborators such as
Kekelingo and Leomile, he is focussed on building a community, which can
support each other and allow a new movement of Folk artists to take their
message to the world.

● 2025 Standard Bank Young Artist Award recipient for Music
https://mg.co.za/friday/2025-04-18-muneyis-time-has-come/

●We are culture - a standard bank exhibition curated by Bee Diamond head
that saw the reopening of Standard Bank Gallery after closing down for two
years. This was alongside arists such as Muofhe Manavhela
Links: 1.https://twyg.co.za/13-young-artists-demand-our-attention-at-the-we-are-cu
lture-exhibition/
https://www.artafricamagazine.org/standard-bank-gallery-presents-we-are-cul
ture-a-celebration-of-multidisciplinary-creative-talent-curated-by-bee-dia
mondhead/

● Played Rocking The Daisies (Main Stage)
https://rockingthedaisies.com/

●Joy Of Jazz with Mahube band

●Joy Of Jazz 2025

●Bushfire 2025 with Litsomo

●Saudi Za Busara 2025 with Swahili Encounters

What the press has to say:
https://www.blazonmagazine.co.za/joy-of-jazz-returns-with-the-ultimate-africa
n-jazz-experience/

https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/480/231204.html

HughFest twice (2021 & 2022)
https://www.iol.co.za/the-star/news/the-hugh-masekela-heritage-festival-is-bac
k-4ead7107-3f14-4e47-8384-9596cecb6ab8

“The South African Venda-Folk singer unveils his first official body of work,
inspired by a healing experience and a meeting with the gods.
”
https://pan-african-music.com/en/muneyi-makhulu/
“Gentle guitar riffs and Muneyi's pining voice permeate Lufuno, imbuing the
song with a sense of longing or, rather, loss.
”
https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/lifestyle/2021-05-16-muneyis-album-
makhulu-is-filled-with-lessons-in-love-loss-and-healing/
“Between the complex jams and sparse beating of Makhulu, Venda indie-folk
Muneyi artist crafts an ode to his grandmother.
”
https://www.gq.co.za/culture/entertainment/gq-exclusive-muneyi-talks-lessons
-in-love-loss-healing-and-his-debut-album-makhulu-f3ec0ada-ec4c-49a6-
a6b2-7774393c77ff
“Makhulu is the gift itself. It is a gift that honours the language he learned
before his feet knew how to propel his body. It is something that he
learned from his grandmother. It reflects everything he carries in his heart
from home and honours his grandmother.
”
http://sacreativenetwork.co.za/2021/05/makhulu-an-album-for-muneyis-grand
mother/
“Muneyi, right from the start of the evening, set the bar high with his
well-oiled, rousing renditions of Tshivenda ballads. His set felt like the most
complete performance, from the inspirational songs and his considerable
vocal talent, to a warm and humble stage presence that connected
directly with his audience. He produced the loudest applause of the night,
which is no mean feat when you’re first up on that stage.
”
https://afropunk.com/2019/12/muneyi-shameless-win-joburg-battle-of-the-ban
ds/

Follow Online:
https://www.instagram.com/muneyi_ /
https://www.facebook.com/MuneyiR
Watch:
https://youtu.be/BRn3l8hydOM
Listen: https://africori.to/makhulu /