Author: Avile

Abazukulwana is a two-piece band currently experimenting with afro-indie ambient sounds. On lead guitar is Avile Njameni (A.V.) from the Eastern Cape, and Khensani Ndlhovu (Saniity) from the North West joins him on the bass. They share vocal duties according to the demands of the song, as their music is driven by intuitive utterances and almost improvised progressions. 

The duo released their first project, Ekuqaleni on February 14, 2024 which sets the foundation of the intention behind this improvised exploration through music. The name Abazukulwana means grandchildren in Xhosa and Zulu, and under both languages Ekuqaleni is In The Beginning. So simply, the project reflects the cultures from which AV & Sanity begin their explorations and the child-like spirit that stays pure in all of us, no matter how our bodies and perspectives change. 

Having begun their journey performing all over Pretoria from 2022, Sanity describes her journey in Aba as two people experimenting with their talents learning along the way, a humble description of her bubbly bass playing as it weaves effortlessly with AV’s steady lead. Their beginning is heard in the music, with their ability to turn the relationships between siblings, cousins, children and their elders into melodies leaves audiences with a warmth matched only by a summer’s day in childhood.

With songs like Sithunyiwe [We’ve been sent] and Phakama [Get Up], Abazukulwana are here to remind us to remember our roots while we learn to fly. Through sharing their talents with each other and the world, Abazukulwana hopes to bridge the invisible gaps between our cultures through the curious inner child that never left any of us, that is waiting to play hide and seek, together.

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