The world-renowned artist started her illustrious singing career in the 1970s when she joined Victor Ntoni’s sextet.
Mama Kaap has been blessed to work alongside other leading Cape Town Jazz musicians, including the Ngucakana brothers, Ezra and Duke Ngcukana, Winston Mankunku, Nick Carter, and Merton Barrow.
Sylvia Ncediwe Mdunyelwa was born in the township of Langa in Cape Town more than 50 years ago.
With a career spanning over five decades, Mama Mdunyelwa is affectionately known as “Sis Nce” or “Mam Nce” to her Langa community or “Mama Kaap” to the broader Cape Town fan base.
‘Mam Nce’ relayed our interpretation of jazz standards and traditional Xhosa songs. Mam Nce became involved in developing the talent of young and aspiring musicians.
For example, in 1990 Mam Nce took a group of young musicians to the International Children’s Jazz Festival in Canada. On her return, Mam Nce was awarded a scholarship by the Educational Opportunities Council. Subsequently, she went to study at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA).
Mam Nce used this opportunity to polish her skills in music and theatre. Upon her return, Mam Nce was invited to tour Germany where she performed at the Berlin Festival in 1994.
In a May 2020 interview, Mam Nce divulged; “I was listening to the legendary Ella Fitzgerald from the age of seven years, sweetheart,” she says. “I grew up with jazz music around me. It was all about Ella, Carmen McCrae and Sarah Vaughan.
“It’s what I do, it’s what I love sweetheart,” she said when asked about her long career.
Mam Nce also shared: “I was singing [Ella’s signature tune] Mack The Knife, even though I did not know the English words. I was just a child and I sang just what I wanted to sing.”
Mam Nce was later part of a cultural exchange programme where she went to Bogota, Colombia in South America to perform in 1997.
The following year, 1998, Mam Nce released her album African Diva, Live in Africa which focused on her performances at the Standard Bank Jazz Festival in Grahamstown.
In 1999, Mam Nce got a contract with Blue Note. In 2000 Mam Nce recorded her first studio album Ingoma (Song) which was produced by Victor Ntoni.
Mam Nce continued to speak glowingly of the Capella groups that flourished in the townships.
Some include groups like the Modern Chirpers, the Harmony Jigs, and the Semitones, guided by Victor Ntoni and Aspro Sipoyo.
Mam Nce was awarded the ‘Golden Guachupe Award in recognition of her community work in Cape Town, bestowed by government of Colombia.
She became part of the BBC production of the life of Bishop Desmond Tutu.
Mam Nce presented Voice of Jazz, a programme on P4 Radio, Heart 104.9FM, a Cape Town radio station.
She was also a member of the board of Fine Music Radio, a classical jazz station in Cape Town.
Mam Nce also hosted her show on one of the biggest SABC Radio Stations in South Africa, Umhlobo Wenene FM, a Xhosa station.
Although Mam Nce never had formal singing lessons, she ensured that would never impede her career.
“I got it from my family and those around me in Langa. Langa was a place of good music in those days” reflects the legend.
Western Cape MEC of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Anroux Marais, said: “Sylvia will be remembered for her powerful voice and charismatic stage presence. Her legacy will live on not only through her music but also through her impact on the South African music industry and the lives of many artists such as Fancy Galata, Lungiswa Plaatjies and many more from Langa and beyond. She remained involved in her community of Langa, advocating for the optimal utilization of local spaces such as Guga S’thebe by local artists and community. She was a true icon who paved the way for others and continued giving back to her community.
“Our condolences go out to Sylvia’s family, friends and all those whose lives were touched by her music.”
“Mama Kaap” passed on last week on Friday due to a short illness.
She will be buried on Saturday, September 2 in Langa.
