Thobekile Mbanda
Thobekile Mbanda passionately known as Ntomb’Yelanga is a dynamic artist, entrepreneur, a
mother and cultural advocate dedicated to preserving and promoting indigenous knowledge
through music, storytelling, and craftsmanship.
As founder of Mmaletsatsi Productions, she has created a vibrant platform celebrating global
indigenous instruments, producing isiZulu children’s books, and hosting immersive
instrument-making workshops that blend artistry with cultural education and healing practices
through sound.
Her passion for heritage is also expressed through Zakhe Juluka — an ambitious project to
acquire farmland for cultivating calabashes, central to traditional instrument-making. This
initiative extends to artistic residencies, photography workshops, and youth skills training,
empowering communities through creativity and sustainability.
In addition, Ntomb’Yelanga founded Abancane Art Academy, a creative space enriching
children’s education with storytelling, music, and indigenous art. Through isiZulu learning
materials and interactive showcases, she inspires young people to connect deeply with their
cultural and linguistic roots.
A dedicated musician, she has performed locally and internationally — most recently in Russia,
where she represented South Africa’s indigenous instruments at Melody of BRICS. Her
performance featured tracks from her dance EP, “Ntomb’Yelanga Galactic Activation Portal,”
guiding audiences on an ancestral journey across time and space. She is featured in Marcos
Lamy’s (Brazilian artist she met at BRICS) album released in 2025 song called La Vem
Through every project, Ntomb’Yelanga remains devoted to cultural preservation, creative
innovation, and empowering future generations.
Embracing a broader creative vision rooted in cultural preservation, indigenous craftsmanship,
and sonic exploration.
- Dance EP: Ntomb’Yelanga Galactic Activation Portal (2024)
- A cosmic journey blending indigenous instruments with electronic production, exploring
ancestral memory and spiritual awakening.
- A cosmic journey blending indigenous instruments with electronic production, exploring
- Notable International Performance:
- 2024: Represented South Africa in Russia, performing live indigenous instruments
alongside electronic tracks from the new EP. - 2013 Represented South in USA California Berkeley as a performer under the name
Thobs the Zulu Queen - 2014 Produced a play in Barbados about the life of Princess Magogo the life of a royal
artist
- 2024: Represented South Africa in Russia, performing live indigenous instruments
- Live showcases:
- Indigenous Things Festival – immersive performance combining music, movement, and
storytelling - Private and cultural events focusing on indigenous instrument performance and
workshops
- Indigenous Things Festival – immersive performance combining music, movement, and
- Ongoing projects:
- New singles and collaborations exploring the fusion of deep house, Afro-tech, and
indigenous melodies - Live recording project documenting traditional instrument sounds
- New singles and collaborations exploring the fusion of deep house, Afro-tech, and
Beyond the music
- Founder of Mmaletsatsi Productions, producing isiZulu children’s books, hosting
indigenous instrument workshops, and celebrating global indigenous heritage. - Creator of Zakhe Juluka, cultivating calabashes for instrument-making, supporting
residencies and youth training. - Visionary behind Abancane Art Academy, enriching children’s education through book
writing, storytelling, music, and art. - Academic researcher articles published in Agenda platform and Music in Africa platform.
