Thandanani (Thanda) Gumede

Thandanani Gumede or Thanda (for short) is a Zulu name that means “Love one another”.

Thanda is an Integrated Artist from Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and is based in the U.K. He is a vocalist who specialises in an eclectic blend of singing styles heavily influenced by his dual Zulu/Xhosa heritage with Western music. Notable projects and/or performances include the first ever Nelson Mandela Day sanctioned by the U.N. in London (2010); Royal Enclosure for 44 members of the British Royal family in Buckingham Palace (2015); Opera North’s first ever BAME Resonance (2018); awarded Jazz North Rota with Ubunye (2018); awarded MJF Hothouse (2019); awarded MJF Level Up (2020-2021) to name a few as well as appearances on Sky 1, SABC 1 and the BBC radio and television.

Seminar One Provocation: Music as a conduit for encounters 

Abstract: I have particular interest in the connections between Language, Culture and Education that are inherent in traditional African music and demonstrate how I extrapolate from that triad as I navigate working in classical and contemporary settings in the U.K.  

Additionally, I would also like to explore the role of music in facilitating encounters between different social classes and “races” with a brief reflection of South Africa during segregation. Finally, perhaps a brief look at how I have adapted the way I work in the light of the global Covid-19 restrictions to safely facilitate the continuity of those musical encounters without compromising the quality of the art.