For singer Nathi Mankayi, 2015 was a formidable year that kicked off a successful music career through his debut album Buyelekhaya. And now that his hit single Nomvula is officially the song of 2015, the sky seems to be the limit.
Mankayi was pitted against DJ Black Coffee’s We Dance Again, Dbn Nyts’ song Shumaya, and Culoe De Song’s Nguwe, featuring Thandiswa Mazwai.
Mankayi spoke to City Press about the win, giving a big up to one of his biggest fans, Bonang Matheba, who unashamedly
adored the song.
“Firstly, I would like to thank all those people around the country who voted for Nomvula. Through the year there have been people who personally adopted the song. Thank you, Bonang,” he said.
“I am very happy that through the journey I have been on I never gave up and continued to believe in what I wanted to achieve.”
He said winning the title was “amazing, especially when I listen to all the other songs”.
He takes home a R150 000 cash prize and a Kia Picanto.
This festive season has been all work and no play for Mankayi, with a gig every other day. He has performed at events in Mbombela, the BET Experience Africa, the 10th Tlokwe Family Day Jazz Festival on January 1, and the Eastern Cape’s Buyel’Ekhaya Music Festival.
“It has been a crazy few months and we have not really had a break. But we will have some time to rest soon,” he added.
However, he doesn’t know when that will be, as he is already working on some new music.
“We are in and out of the studio all the time. Collaborations will include Vusi Nova and The Soil – no real surprises there,” he said.
His album has notched up 145 000 units in sales, and is steadily climbing.
After wrapping up his festive season gigs, Mankayi is heading back to Maclear, Eastern Cape, to spend some of his well-deserved cash prize.
“There are things I need to take care of at home. I am looking forward to that,” he said.