Comedian Nkosinathi Maki will support Black in The Festival Sessions: Stories, Songs and Smiles at the Athenaeum Little Theatre in Central.
Known for her soulful lyrics and a compassionate tone, many view Black’s music as a healing force.
“I have truly been called for this music. Over and above healing those that consume my music, I myself find healing in the messages in my music, I find healing even when I perform,” she says.
“I believe everyone has a voice and should always find courage to use it even when it’s not popular to do so. Every voice matters. Everyone has got a story to tell.”
Black studied Music Education at Nelson Mandela University, graduating in 2013, and she also won an Alumni Rising Star Award from the University.
Looking back, she sees her time on campus as playing a major part in her journey as a professional musician.
“Most definitely [it] gave me the foundation in the basics of music itself,” she says.
She has sung since early childhood, starting in church and later began competing in talent hunts at school, which exposed her to stage performance.
In 2016, her breakout hit song AmaZulu won numerous awards and propelled into in the fame lane.
Black moved to Johannesburg that year, and signed her first major record deal. Her star continued to rise and in 2019, she was one of the most-streamed artists on Apple Music.
Since then, the singer has successfully released three more albums: Power, Mnyama and the latest, From My Soil To Yours, in November 2023.
Rooted in the Eastern Cape, Black was born in Mthatha and grew up in Butterworth, but also has lived in East London and Gqeberha.
She developed a signature look of Xhosa facial art to reflect her heritage, and changed her name from Amanda Benedicta Antony to Amanda Black.
Along the way, Black found how tough it can be to draw a healthy line between the personal and public space – a challenge for many creative spirits.
“I’ve learned that although there is no separation between myself as an artist and myself as a human, I value the ability to continue living my life outside of the limelight which allows me to still be able to be authentic in my artistry,” she says.
The Athenaeum is one of several venues for the Mandela Bay Arts Festival (MBAF), a multidisciplinary art showcase for the Metro, featuring music, poetry, theatre, comedy, dance and art.
Its programme extends over 10 days, from Friday February 21 to Sunday March 2.
Jazzy sounds start and end the MBAF programme, with another former Nelson Mandela University student, saxophone star Lefa Mosea performing on Friday, February 21, in Lefa Mosea and the Double Standards at the Roof Garden Bar.
Mosea, who studied towards his jazz degree B Mus (Ed) at Mandela University, is also performing on March 1.
Music lovers have choices to make that night, as Lefea Mosea and the Double Standards are up at 6.30pm at the Roof Garden Bar, while Black’s concert starts at 7pm, just a few hundred metres away at the Athenaeum.
To add to the difficulty, another Afro-soul diva with a glorious voice, Nosisi Mavela, is singing at Mendi Arts Centre in New Brighton at 6pm that night.
Fortunately, Mavela is also performing the next day, on Sunday afternoon, in one of the festival’s closing shows.
So, what can fans expect from the Black songbook on March 1?
“I will absolutely be performing tracks from my latest album, ‘From My Soil To Yours‘, no new music just yet!”
There will be smiles as well as songs at the concert, with stand-up comedian and MC Maki a strong supporting act.
Maki won an award for Best Solo Show at The National Arts Festival in 2019 for his performance, and in 2022, won the Jive Funny Festival Championship. Maki has also been nominated twice for the Savanna Comics Choice Awards in 2023.