Dr Safeeya Mohammed
guardian.wemagazine@gmail.com
First time Grammy award winner, Nomcebo will be gracing our population with her magnanimous presence for her first ever T&T Carnival. While Jerusalema took the world by storm, Bayethe (which means Acclaim in the Zulu language) gave her the GRAMMY award!
Within the monumental celebrations in South Africa, singer and songwriter Nomcebo Zikode shared exclusive insights with WE, Sunday Guardian. Her first visit to T&T in July 2022 left an indelible impression on her and she excitedly declared, ‘I absolutely love your country. I love the Trini accent, the street food and the people are so very friendly!”
Her warm, effervescent nature leaped off her words as WE deep dived into her journey as a global trendsetter, a powerhouse vocalist, a songwriter, a mother, a wife, a humanitarian and an ambassador with AIDONIC, and so much more.
Let’s get to know Nomcebo Zikode…
“I grew up in a simple home, but I was always a happy child. It didn’t bother me if my school shirt was torn or if I didn’t have new shoes, I never felt ashamed. At school if I was asked to sing in front of everyone, I did it because I loved to sing. At that age, material things never bothered me especially if I could not afford them. My passion was singing. I knew if I wanted to become a singer that I had to work very hard from inception to achieve it. After I graduated with my degree, I was a vocalist/background singer for 15 years. Even though my journey was challenging, I acquired knowledge and experience to pursue my love for singing. I focused on my goals, followed the path that led me to success in my career and this has made me the woman I am today.”
Your IG reveals your incredible love for fashion, how would you describe your style?
“My style reflects who I am – a strong woman, a strong mother and a powerful artist. It is bold, colourful, edgy, trendy and represents my African culture. As a personal preference, I do not wear short clothes and do not like to expose my body.”
Within your academic journey, you achieved an Information Technology Degree, what was the pivot that led you to music?
“I was very determined and worked feverishly to obtain my Information Technology Degree at Havatech College, Johannesburg. After achieving my degree, I felt empowered and more confident, so then I proceeded to follow my love and passion for singing. My musical journey has not always been a smooth one, but God continues to open doors that took me to greater heights. During these last 15 years, I gained so much experience and knowledge which allowed me to pursue my singing career further.”
As a well-known vocalist, her career pivoted after Nomcebo won a talent competition on Ukhozi FM, a South African national radio station in 2003 this helped her secure a spot in the many gospel bands.
While you are known for the hit song, Jerusalema, you also serve in other positions, share with us more on your role as a Good Ambassador with AIDONIC?
“I started in July 2021 with two humanitarian projects with the assistance of AIDONIC in my hometown of Hammarsdale, KwaZulu-Natal. This organisation offers aid through a digital platform for social fundraising and last-mile aid distribution to low-income families.”
AIDONIC’s goal is to help humanitarian organisations worldwide to reach more vulnerable people with increased efficiency and less costs whilst ensuring full end-to-end transparency. They create and deliver valuable social and development impact to achieve the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
This year, 2023 - the United Nations’ theme for International Women’s Day is DigitALL - Innovation and technology for gender equality, what advice would you share to those who still believe IT is not for women?
“The world we live in today is constantly changing for women across the globe. We are breaking more boundaries and are continuously striving to be recognised for our accomplishments and achievements. For those who still believe IT is not for women, well that’s very disappointing but I urge to reconsider your point of view, especially towards the young industrious women of the future. I use myself as an example: a female artist in the entertainment industry who continues to work twice as hard in comparison to male artist just to build a name for myself. The journey was challenging but I persevered and in return, my hard work gave me great success by winning a Grammy Award.”
On the night of the Grammy Awards, how did you feel in the moment you heard your name?
“It was the best feeling in the world when I was nominated for a Grammy. However, when I heard my name called as the winner of “Best Global Music Performance” I was immensely ecstatic, I felt so proud that all my hard work brought me such an enormous reward.”
At the 65th edition of the Grammy Awards, that took place in Los Angeles last Sunday, in her acceptance speech, alongside Zakes Bantwini and Wouter Kellerman, Nomcebo declared on the stage, “Thank you so much to God, I once gave the world a song, that took the world by storm, the song that got us all together, but I didn’t get this nomination or this award. But God was saying to me, ‘Don’t worry my daughter, I will give you Bayethe.”
What is the thing that you are most proud of with the universal success of Jerusalema?
“My proudest moments from the success of Jerusalema” especially during Covid-19 and how this song resonated with millions of people worldwide during such a difficult time. Everywhere I visited, my fans told me that “Jerusalema” gave them hope, comfort, encouragement to hold on and keep praying for their family and friends. I was deeply touched and I believe God gave me this song that helped many people in the world.”
Her time in the music industry has established Nomcebo as a powerful vocalist and an unstoppable force, releasing great music that has kept fans on the dance floor.
Jerusalema was recorded on 11 August, 2019 by South African DJ and record producer Master KG and featured Nomcebo. After being posted on social media, it surpassed one million views in just the first week. The #JerusalemaChallenge took it to another level, going viral during mid-2020.
Her debut studio album Xola Moya Wam was released on 21 August, 2020. It features Master KG, Makhadzi and Bongo Beats. The album was certified platinum after a month of its release with sales of 150 000 copies.
If you can collaborate with anyone, who would that be? Which 3 persons?
“Beyonce, Chris Brown & Davido.”
Returning to Trinidad & Tobago, what’s your top 5 things to do while you are here?
• I want to go to Maracas Beach
• Try more Trini cuisine, I love doubles, roti and chicken.
• Go to the steel pan yard and try playing pan
• Visit the Pitch Lake
• Go to the Buccoo Reef and Nylon Pool
Nomcebo shared inspiring last words with our WE, Sunday Guardian readers….
“Set goals for yourself, create a plan on how you are going to achieve it and take it one step at a time. Nothing comes easily, so keep pushing yourself and work diligently at it, then eventually you will achieve your goals and dreams. In the beginning of my singing career, I kept on improving my vocals, my sound writing and took many singing jobs to get my name out there. Just keep on working hard and eventually everything will fall into place.”