She started playing a guitar made out of a tin box at the age of 13. In the years that followed, radio presenter Saba Mbixane Maskandi bought her her first proper guitar, which she still has and draws motivation from.
As a young girl, she was teased for playing the guitar with boys, but she knew her love for the instrument was special.
Growing up in a village community where traditional practices such as imcimbi and ukuthwalwa was dominant, Nonguquko Mlaza, also known as Csana, found solace in expressing her experiences on paper.
“I have mostly used a pen and took my guitar to make beautiful songs out of such surroundings. My inspiration also is influenced by my family as I come from a huge family of more than nine children,” she tells Drum.
Realising the financial hardships in her family, she had to drop out of school and find ways to make money as her mother was struggling to support her younger siblings.
“I needed to make money while growing my craft as a performer and singer, which is the only thing I know and love. I took a personal decision to focus on music full-time.”
Read More | Deep house head Judy Jay is out to heal through music and spark flames in other young female DJs
Given that music became a huge part of her survival kit in life, the afro-pop singer feels not only indebted to it and does not regret pursuing it full time.
Even as she sings and performs in a distinct language, nothing has stopped her from reaching great heights.
Csana has worked on several songs with Heavy K and is now in Hong Kong preparing to perform at the Asia World Expo.
As officials from countries showcase their cultural heritage and items at the event, the 37-year-old will be showcasing her own cultural heritage with her Isimpondo-infused songs.
Explaining what the dialect is, she says, “Isimpondo is a language that is spoken by Mpondo people in South Africa, it’s a mixture Xhosa and Zulu. A very colorful culture that I am strongly introducing its music but with a twist of modern days sounds. “
She adds that her aim from day one has been to make Isimpondo fashionable through her music.
Slowly but surely, all is falling into place finally as she is now officially internationally recognised.
In between her rehearsals and outfit collection runs, she tells Drum about how the opportunity came her way.
"The consulate as led by Consul General Mogono and the organiser of the event Mavis Yu gave me the opportunity. I feel so honoured and excited to be part of that gig I never saw it coming, I thank my ancestors for such a gift of music.”
Through her music, she wants people to know that “giving up is not an option and knowing yourself through life challenges is key.”
At the world expo, she will be gracing the audience with her new song, Tatamncinci which will be dropping on 14 July.
When making this song, she was in studio with her manager, Thanduxolo Jindela who planted the seed in her to make a wedding song.
Read More | ‘Music saved my life,’ says Darque – dad of newborn – who’s just dropped album More Life
“I didn't hold myself [back], lines started flowing and the melody came [rushing through me]. Basically, the song is about a young girl who is excited that her soon-to-be in-laws are bringing cows and she keeps asking her uncle to show up because she's depending on him to do lobola negotiations. It is a happy song.”
“I was just writing about the beauty of love,” she adds.
With this song and many more songs to follow from her, she says that she wants to “leave a mark, heal and change people’s life”.
Even in her next life, she believes that she will still be doing music as she saw how it made a huge change in her life and also financially supported her family through difficult times.
“It has its ups and downs, but I am here stronger and better. Doing what I love.”
