Idols SA: Mmangaliso Gumbi is one to watch

Idols SA contestant proves the saying that dynamite comes in small packages, and oozes confidence and sass on the stage

Mmangaliso Gumbi has graced our screens with elegance, beauty and strength. Week after week she has brought life to the phrase, dynamite comes in small packages, but who is this young woman behind the veil of her Idols SA onstage excellence?

In an interview with City Press, Gumbi, who comes from Watersmeet in Ladysmith, described herself as someone who is reserved until she is comfortable and that’s when her bubbly personality shines through.

And you can see that when witnessing the confidence and sass she exudes on stage.

“My love for performance arts and music began when I was very young. I come from a musical family and grew up singing in the church choir and as part of the worship team. At the age of 13 I watched my first theatre show and I’ve been drawn to the world of performance arts since then and still am. I love theatre and music,” she said.

Her Christian upbringing has had a huge effect on her identity as an artist and as a contestant on Idols SA. “My strategy for the competition is accepting anything that comes my way. I believe that God orchestrates everything in a person’s life and this belief has put me at ease and at peace,” she said.

No matter the outcome, she knows that there is a greater plan at work.

She is very passionate about her beliefs and values and sees Christianity as a gospel of peace that can contribute largely to help societal problems, such as gender-based violence.

“If everyone not only knew but understood and practised these values we would be living in a better society and a more peaceful world. Christianity teaches us to deal with the difficult things knowing that there’s someone to help carry that load. If we are able to respect a higher power we can learn to respect other human beings,” she said.

She also believes in the power of humanity studies in helping to solve socioeconomic problems. If she was to pursue anything other than the performing arts she would continue her previous social study course or anything in the humanities field.

“I was a social studies student and my main purpose was to be a counsellor and psychologist. I would target family and societal dynamics and how these can contribute to a child’s growth,” she said.

Musicians such as CeCe Winans, India.Arie, H.E.R and Jazmine Sullivan are her greatest influences. When she isn’t on stage she is an avid YouTube watcher. One of her favourite shows is The Skin Deep – and anything else that is centred on human interaction.

Singing may not be the only trade we know her for in future. The captivating songstress one day hopes to make her mark in the entertainment industry as an actress because of her love and passion for theatre.

She hopes that whatever success she achieves throughout her career will be an inspiration to other dreamers coming from a small town as she did.

She is definitely one to watch.

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