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Thanda Gumede

Thandanani GumedeThanda's own website: https://www.thandamusic.co.uk/

Thanda Gumede founded Zulu Tradition and is their managing member. He is also the lead singer and songwriter of Ubunye, the Leeds-based, Zulu/British fusion jazz group. He is available for solo educational concerts and to lead choir performances when the Zulu Tradition and Ubunye schedules permit.

Born and raised in the townships of KwaZulu Natal, near Durban in South Africa he first came to the UK as a bright-eyed teen with Mighty Zulu Nation, but soon formed the co-operative, fair-trade Zulu Tradition, which he now manages as well as performs with. He's sung and danced for the royals at Buckingham Palace, at the British Museum for the first International Nelson Mandela Day, at the South African High Commission and on several occasions for the British Red Cross, including their Gala at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane produced by Angela Rippon. He has played concerts, events and festivals all over Great Britain as well as back home in South Africa.

Thanda GumedeThanda is available for school concerts and workshops and also to lead choir performances and workshops, and deliver workshops on performance, Zulu culture and language using traditional song, dance and drama. He builds his solo timetable around Ubunye and Zulu Tradition's schedule.

Educated and erudite, this young man devises Zulu Tradition's schools programme, and can offer a solo music, song and dance programme to cover:

  • Diversity awareness
  • Breaking down the barriers around prejudice
  • Ethnic, religious and racial equality
  • Community building
  • International understanding leading to local benefits

Thanda has a full DBS check.

When he gets the opportunity he also sings with his church's gospel choir.

Based in West Yorkshire when he's in the UK, Thanda will travel for engagements and can arrange educational performances, with one or two additional performers or with the full Zulu Tradition group depending on school budget and ambition.

(Pronounce Thanda as Tanda, the H is silent. It's short for Thandanani. Pronounce Gumede: Guh-may-deh)

Ubunye

Thandanani Gumede (2nd from right), Xolani Mbatha, Nokuthula Zondi, Bongi Gwala (vocals)/ Dave Evans (keyboards)/ Emma Johnson (tenor saxophone)/ Simon Dennis (trumpet)/ Nik Rutherford (guitar)/ Barry Ricarby (bass)/ Alex Wibrew (drums)

Ubunye

Imagine the raw power of African voices in harmony; the pounding rhythm of Africa blended with the explosive energy of a live band. This young and vibrant group of Zulu performers and seasoned musicians from UK reach back into the past to combine ancient tradition with contemporary flare. UBUNYE deliver a soulful- goose bump inducing-performance of original pieces cleverly fused with Southern African songs.

Some members of Ubunye

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Left to right: Xolani Mbatha, Nokuthula Zondi, and Thandanani Gumede, members of both Zulu Tradition and the vocal powerhouse behind Ubunye.

Tour Dates

Thanda also sings for organisations, schools, choirs, weddings and private events. These are not all listed. Please enquire for available dates. More dates booking now.