We have opened a line: A space to listen, to archive, to honour those who journey with us.
We gather the voices of our collaborators.
Their thoughts, their stories, their frequencies.
We begin with Call+Continuum; a theme we explored through being commissioned by the Zeitz MOCAA Gala Collateral Programme, to curate sounds in celebration of the role South African women play in the creative industries. These are women who are not just making music, but holding memory.
Resisting erasure. Declaring existence.
The Call is loud, intentional, undeniable. The Continuum is subtle, generational, grounding.
We asked: What does Call + Continuum mean to you?
Through phone calls, voice notes and conversation, they answered.
There are their reflections. Their words become the archive. Their voices carry the line forward.
Buhlebendalo Mda, born in Soweto in 1988, is a highly acclaimed South African musician, celebrated for her powerful vocal prowess and commanding stage presence. Known affectionately as Buhle, she is a gender activist and the sole female member of the multi-award-winning, internationally acclaimed, and double-platinum-selling South African A cappella group, The Soil, which she co-founded over a decade ago whilst still at high school.
Buhlebendalo has embarked on a successful solo career, releasing her debut album, Chosi (2020), which delves into spiritual themes. Her music, which she describes as ISIGQI SAKWANTU, is profoundly influenced by her calling as a Sangoma and the spiritual journey she undertook to become a healer; her latest album, Hele (2024), was crafted during her four-year initiation.
As a member of The Soil, she has won numerous awards both in South Africa and abroad and has performed on prestigious international stages. She was also nominated at the Basadi in Music Awards in the Traditional Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year categories for her solo work.
Described as a philanthropist, storyteller, healer, visionary, and a chosen vessel, Buhlebendalo's enchanting voice has captivated audiences across Europe, Asia, North and South America. The stage is her sanctuary, where her performances, often accompanied by an all-female band, channel healing powers that resonate directly with the soul, awakening the spirit of Ntu.