Thandeka Mfinyongo, born in Cape Town, is a musician deeply rooted in African musical traditions. Her passion for the performing arts began in church at a young age. She holds a Performer’s Diploma in Music and an Advanced Diploma in African Music from the University of Cape Town. Specialising in the Xhosa instruments uhadi (gourd bow) and umrhubhe (mouth bow), she also studied the kora, earning a Master’s in Music Performance from SOAS University of London in 2020. Mfinyongo is currently pursuing a PhD in Ethnomusicology at Rhodes University.

Mfinyongo was part of Make Music Day, a preparation for the 2024 Olympics, and was one of five musicians selected to represent South Africa at the Hong Kong Expo, an initiative by the National Council. Her collaborations include working with the late Dr. Madosini and Dumza Maswana, and her performances span renowned events like Oluzayo Festival, the National Arts Festival, and the Folklore Festival. A skilled vocalist and instrumentalist, she draws inspiration from veteran musicians like Madosini, who guided her learning. Through her soulful performances and dedication to preserving African music, Mfinyongo is one of the prominent figures in South Africa’s music scene, committed to celebrating and sustaining indigenous musical traditions.