Siyanda Futhufuthu’s stage name is Siyanda Kwaito and the 33-year-old kwaito superstar, is a multi-skilled individual emerging from Grahamstown. He has been into music from his childhood, starting off with friends at high school in 1997. He is a recognised multi-award-winning kwaito artist.
He recorded his first debut single, Lomntana, in 2004 and got airplay on national radio station, Umhlobo Wenene as well as local stations Radio Grahamstown and Rhodes Music Radio.
Born on 10 of March 1984, emerging from the harsdships of the streets had an impact on his life journey. Growing up was a struggle, disturbing his studies and making him self conscious about his roots. e started taking his writing seriously in 2002.
In 2006, he won an award in the Grahamstown Universal Youth Group Talent Search. In the same year he won the Makana Municipality Music Competition and his song titled Intsokolo was featured on The Best of Makana compilation CD.
He has been performing in and around the Eastern Cape and is the regular guest artist at the Peace Day music programme, an event hosted by Corinne Cooper of Sonic Art Studio.
In 2008, he received a certificate of recognition at the Cacadu District Achievers Awards in the category of Arts and Culture. In the same year, Capitec Bank and Makana Municipality hosted Civic Awards and Siyanda was recognised for outstanding and unique talent.
later that year, the Department of Arts and Culture gave him the opportunity to record a 10-song album at the Eastern Cape Audiovisual Centre in East London.
In 2010, three of his songs were included in the Eastern Cape Contemporary CD released and sold nationally. He was nominated on the Eastern Cape Music Awards for Best Newcomer and Best Kwaito Artist in 2015.
Siyanda is a hard-working Grahamstown artist who always grabs opportunities with both hands. He is the only kwaito star remaining in Grahamstown and still holds the kwaito flag high – while others threw in the towel long ago.
