Nandi Ndathane Is Finding Her Own Voice in South African Music

A singer-songwriter from Soweto is steadily building her place in South Africa's music industry, combining a lifelong passion for music with a sound that continues to evolve. While recent headlines have introduced many people to Nandi Ndathane through her relationship with rapper Emtee, her journey as an artist began long before the spotlight found her.

Raised in Diepkloof, Soweto, Ndathane grew up surrounded by music. She is the daughter of the late maskandi musician Shaluza Max Mntambo, whose passion for music inspired her from an early age. After performing in theatre productions as a teenager, she began releasing music professionally in 2020 and has spent the past six years developing her career.

Finding Her Sound

Ndathane describes herself as an artist still discovering her musical identity. Although she began recording amapiano, she has gradually moved towards Afro-pop, R&B and contemporary African sounds that better complement her naturally deep, soulful voice.

Her latest single, Buya, featuring Emtee, marks another step in that journey, blending heartfelt storytelling with modern South African influences.

More Than the Headlines

Recent media attention has focused on Ndathane's relationship with Emtee, with the pair speaking publicly about finding support and peace in one another after first meeting through a studio collaboration.

While the relationship has introduced her to a wider audience, Ndathane has been clear that music remains her primary focus. She has spoken about wanting to create songs that connect with listeners and leave a lasting emotional impact.

What You Need to Know

• Hometown: Diepkloof, Soweto
• Genre: Afro-pop, R&B and contemporary African music
• Started Releasing Music: 2020
• Musical Background: Former theatre performer and daughter of the late maskandi artist Shaluza Max Mntambo
• Latest Release: Buya, featuring Emtee

The Bottom Line

Nandi Ndathane is still in the early stages of her career, but she is steadily building a name for herself through her music rather than chasing trends. As she continues to refine her sound and reach new audiences, she is emerging as one of the young South African artists worth keeping an eye on.