Meet Noluthando Ngema, Emerging Artist of the Year

On 12 August 2023, Noluthando Ngema was announced as the first Nando’s Emerging Artist of the Year at the Basadi in Music Awards (BIMA), winning a life-changing prize package worth more than R100 000.

The gravity of the situation is only now starting to settle in a little bit, now that I’ve had my first mentoring session with Msaki, says Noluthando.It’s been a reminder of how wonderful she is and how similar we are and that’s such a blessing to me.The gravity of the situation is only now starting to settle in a little bit, now that I’ve had my first mentoring session with Msaki, says Noluthando.It’s been a reminder of how wonderful she is and how similar we are and that’s such a blessing to me.

Noluthando says that she was surprised, but not shocked, to hear her name announced as the winner of the Nando’s Basadi Emerging Artist of the Year Awards.

I felt like the Lord had told me to prepare a winning speech, although it felt bold to do it. And when my name was called, I realised that God really had prepared me.

Her first one-on-one mentoring session with South African music icon, Msaki, is the start of a year of ongoing support. Her prize comprises a bursary for Bridges Academy, including:

• Up-skilling, educational and training opportunities
• A full year’s mentorship from South African musical legend, Msaki, all-expenses-paid travel experiences to Cape Town and Johannesburg
• Professional recording sessions at Flame Studio and Bridges Studio
• A curated lineup of performance opportunities at events, including the Bridges For Music Gala Dinner, Nando’s events, TV performances and more
• A year’s membership for Women In Music
• An image consultation from Sofn’free worth R20 000

The opportunity to grow my career is just incredible, says Noluthando.I’m blown away by the size of the prize. It’s more than just winning an award, although the award itself is amazing. But to get the training, to be equipped, to have recording time, to go to Bridges Academy, to have mentoring from Msaki, to have a new wardrobe… all of this amazing stuff will really help me to launch my career in a big way.

She believes she was selected as the winner because her music is for the soul and for healing.

My music is for a purpose and I think that resonated with people, she says.My music is not something I gain so much as something of service that I want to use to help heal, soothe, and connect people back to their hearts, their Maker, and to one another.

Noluthando says the whole experience has been enjoyable, from the first fashion shoot that the five finalists did to seeing the recording studio for the first time and having the opportunity to perform at the media showcase event.

Having people believe in me has been beautiful, she says.My first session with Msaki definitely stands out. I feel like I have a picture of what my life looks like now, and it’s incredible to see what I’ve always wanted, always dreamed of, coming to fruition.

She believes the support of heavy hitters, such as Nando’s, Bridges For Music, and Basadi will help her to reach her goals faster, but also in a more sustainable way. Noluthando’s advice to other emerging musicians is,Love God wholeheartedly. Do not give up. Do things at your own time, at your own pace, and trust the process that you’re in. It might not be easy, but it’s worthwhile if it’s something that you really want to do. Always hope.

To play a part in supporting Noluthando’s next steps, as well as helping theremaining four finalistsin the Emerging Artists category to kickstart their journeys, guests to Nando’s restaurants throughout South Africa can choose to round up the price of their order, or donate a little extra, though the national Nando’s ‘Give a little; do lot campaign’ that’s running in all our restaurants countrywide during August (Women’s Month)

Visit your nearest Nando’s for your flame-grilled PERi-PERi fix and to help change five incredible women’s careers and lives!