We mourn the passing of the great Sylvia Mdunyelwa

It is with deep sadness that the Western Cape Government has learned of the passing of Mam’ Sylvia Mdunyelwa. She contributed significantly to the music industry as a jazz musician from Langa, Cape Town. Starting her career in the 1970s with the Victor Ntoni sextet, she went on to become one of the great singers of our country, who also performed alongside great musicians such as Winston Mankunku Ngozi, Merton Barrow, Duke Ngcukana, Ezra Ngcukana, and others. 

In 1990, she attended a six-month music and theatre course of study in Canada after taking an aspiring music group to the International Children's Jazz Festival. As a performer, she has traveled extensively both locally and internationally. She was a member of the Fine Music Radio management and hosted her own show called Voice of Jazz on umHlobo Wenene. Apart from music performances, she also did radio voice-overs, advertisements and acting. 

Sylvia won numerous awards for her work as an artist, and was honoured in 2017 by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport with a Cultural Affairs Award for her outstanding contribution to Women in Cultural Affairs. 

The Western Cape Minister 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 the impact she made 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 Gugasithebe by local artists and community. She was a true icon who paved the way for others and who continued to give back to her community.”  

Our condolences go out to Sylvia’s family, friends and all those whose lives were touched by her music.