Madala Kunene (born 3 April 1951) is a South African musician born in

Kwa-Mashu KwaMashu is a township north of Durban, South Africa. The name is in honour of Sir Marshall Campbell and means ''Place of Marshall''. KwaMashu is bordered by Newlands East to the south, Newlands West to the west, Ntuzuma to the north, Phoenix to t ...

, near

Durban Durban ( ) ( zu, eThekwini, from meaning 'the port' also called zu, eZibubulungwini for the mountain range that terminates in the area), nicknamed ''Durbs'',Ishani ChettyCity nicknames in SA and across the worldArticle on ''news24.com'' from ...

. Kunene started busking on Durban’s beach-front at the age of 7, making his first guitar out of a cooking oil tin and fish gut for the strings, soon becoming a popular performer in the townships.

Early years

Kunene's music interest was triggered at an early age. He started busking in Durban's beach front at the age of 7 with a self made cooking oil tin guitar. His music is influenced by his upbringing and the history of apartheid system which saw him being a victim of forced removal as a young person. Kunene was discovered by Sipho Gumede and brought him to Johannesburg where he shared the stage with world renowned musicians such as

Hugh Masekela Hugh Ramapolo Masekela (4 April 1939 – 23 January 2018) was a South African trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, singer and composer who was described as "the father of South African jazz". Masekela was known for his jazz compositions and for ...

, Winston Mankunku Ngozi and Busi Mhlongo.

References

South African jazz guitarists South African musicians 1951 births Living people {{jazz-guitarist-stub