In just three years since the release of a song that she snuck her vocals on, Lwah Ndlunkulu’s career has truly shaped into a queen’s status.
Royalty.
But to get to this point, the 24-year-old has had to fight for this dream that was only apparent to her at first. A dream she was fully convicted of, beyond her life circumstances and her then realities.
Now, the star has garnered multiple awards under her belt and is in the running for four acclaimed SAMA Awards at this year’s awards show, including in the coveted category of Best Female Artist.
Her star is truly shining bright.
The songstress, real name Lwandile Mtshali, hails from rural Hluhluwe, a place where realising big dreams such as singing or becoming a superstar is near impossible. Lwah Ndlunkulu describes that place as a hard one and not conducive to such dreams.
“It is a beautiful place though, with the Big Five and just gorgeous nature. I just wish more could be done for the youth and the arts,” she said.
In Hluhluwe, Lwah Ndlunkulu was raised in a big family headed by both her maternal grandparents, although her grandmother passed on in 2014. She recalls how she always loved singing and knew she could sing; and because of this love, she would find herself singing at every turn around the yard.
At the age of 18 years old, she relocated to Johannesburg to live with her mother. But the real truth was that she was motivated towards chasing that dream.
“I believed in myself enough to know that it would work out. So I dropped out of school to take a chance on myself,” she said, a decision her mother was not to chuffed about.
By a stroke of luck, she found herself at Big Zulu’s studios when she was discovered by a Nkabi Records producer who invited her over to their studios. It was there that she got the opportunity to record music (playfully).
When she wasn’t in studio, she’d be at her radio gig (that did not pay) or waitressing at a restaurant in Maboneng to make ends meet. But music still tugged at her heartstrings, even when she wasn’t there, as she would take chances at the restaurant to play her music that she recorded—all in the name of keeping the hope alive.
“When a group of us would spend time at Nkabi Records, I would even sleep at that studio because, firstly, I did not have money to rent out a proper place, but also I wanted to be surrounded by music that much. And I remember how we would run away when Big Zulu would come into the studio, not because he was mean but because we were scared.
“Until one day I decided not to run away. I realised that by not running, that would afford me the opportunity to be in the same room with the big boss. He heard that song where I added my vocals on, and I happened to be there in that moment,” she added.
It was then, she shared, that Big Zulu commented that his stable might have new artists, and she knew she was in. That little statement made her stay in that studio the entire December of 2021, recording more music to prove her worth to the label.
“At the restaurant, I worked from 9am untill midnight and then would go straight to the studio to work on some music. I never really gave myself time to rest because I knew what it was that I wanted.”
Her breakout single, Ithuba, validated that sacrifice and South Africa immediately fell in love with her. Life was never the same after that.
Big Zulu went on to play the role of an older brother/boss in her life, supporting her to where she is right now. A role and sacrifice that she will never take for granted, especially as he believed in someone with zero musical track record.
“I came to Joburg with just R400 in my pocket and a huge conviction in my heart that everything I desired was possible. My story is a testament to that, that even if you fail, it doesn’t matter. As long as you have a dream, you still have a chance.
“Two years ago, I never imagined that I could achieve all that I have. It’s like a complete 360 because I now live in Sandton, I drive a Mustang GT and I am able to take care of my grandfather and family.
“My mother is obviously happy, but being able to take care of my grandfather is what fills my heart with so much joy. I asked him to stop working, but he insists on keeping busy,” she said, laughing. “So I bought him a new bakkie that he uses to transport people to town with for various things. When he reads about me in newspapers or sees me on TV, he still gets shocked. I still get shocked myself, especially when people recognise me on the streets. I genuinely get shocked because I don’t think of myself like that. I am just a lucky girl who gets to do what she loves wholeheartedly.
“Fame is an added bonus I never fixated on,” she said.
