COVER: A year of YES for Nomcebo Zikhode as she bags another award
THE year has only begun but it seems as though internationally acclaimed muso Nomcebo Zikhode is already making strides.
Not only was the singer awarded with the coveted Grammy Award under the Global Music Performance category earlier this year, alongside Zakes Bantwini and Wouter Kellerman, she once again received the Forbes Women Africa Entertainer of the Year award this week. Making 2023 her year, perhaps?
“When I stood on that stage this past week, and looked around the room, I could not believe that I, Nomcebo from the rural area, am addressing such big players in varying industries. I kept asking myself, ‘does this make me a big player in my industry too?!,” she said modestly.
While packing for her next trip, with her very supportive husband in the background steering the ship, Zikhode could not help but reflect on her 22 year long career.
She spent fifteen of those years as a backing singer before venturing as a solo star. Her debut album, Xola Moya Wam’ cemented her as a soloist after Jerusalema’s unprecedented blow up in 2019 – carrying a lot of people across the world through the devastating Covid-19 pandemic.
What followed after that exceeded Zikhode’s expectations.
“When you look at when mama Miriam Makheba received her Grammy, the gap between her win in 1966 and mine is a very big one. And although my forecast was never widened to that level of walking away with a Grammy award, maybe I was too scared to dream that big, but I always believed in my gift, in my God and I knew what I had to offer,” she said.
“At this present moment, it feels as if doors are opening up for not just myself but the younger South African creatives that are climbing up this industry. I could only hope that I am able to carve a road that leads to that reality.”
Speaking to Zikhode is no ordinary conversation. As passionate and inspiring as her music is, with her famous singles ‘Xola Moya wam’ and ‘Bayabuza’ making a mark in people’s hearts, Zikhode is an equally passionate speaker. Almost motivational as she converses. That trait, she shared, was mustered from her own journey of not having many role models to look up to. Her upbringing in the Hammarsdale township in KwaZulu-Natal was rocky one, marred by severe poverty.
So naturally, a life of traveling around the world – one that she has been privileged to live right now, and addressing rooms full of esteemed individuals seemed highly impossible.
“That would explain why I am always taken aback at every award, or accolade or stage that I step on. It all just seems so surreal. To say I am grateful is not enough to express how I truly feel,” she said, filled with palpable emotions.
“If anything, that is what I want a young African child to draw from. That it is possible. I did not have a lot figured out when I started within this industry. I pretty much just winged it, but what remained consistent was my hard work and trusting the process.
“And that doesn’t mean the process will always be kind. Oh no,” she said giggling. “I have been rained on badly. In fact, if I tell you all about it, we will speak until tomorrow. Trust me when I say, it has been bad. Dark even. But I exercised patience. Patience has been the key tool that has gotten me to where I am today.
“As an independent artist, I faced unspeakable battles. In my own personal life, it has been tough. So when someone else sees me shine today, it didn’t start there. I had to persevere, tears or not, I had to make it work. Today, I am a businesswoman and I look back and realize that it was all worth it,” she said.
And to be counted among key players within Africans, important creatives at a tender age of 37 years old, she wants to use her influence to achieve more.
“Every person that has achieved greatness has a story to tell. Some stories might seem cliché but these are unique to us and have pushed us to achieve all that we have. In my case, I always wanted better for myself, even though I didn’t know what better looked like. All I could do was stay focused on the work and remain humble through the process.
“Today I am so proud of myself, although all this DOES scare me at times. But I do hope that we ALL can all stand up and fight for our dreams because we are all gifted in one way or the other. So find your calling and fight for it. You owe yourself that much,” she said.
