MASTER OF MELODY INSIDE THE MUSICAL MIND MANDISI DYANTYIS

The multi-talented musician is renowned for his skills as a vocalist, trumpeter, and composer with a remarkable range, soulful music and captivating storytelling abilities

- Shannon Manual

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I'VE HAD THE PLEASURE OF INTERVIEWING MANDISI DYANTYIS, and as before, I am greeted by a very chill and laid-back personality when walking into the cover shoot for our end-of-year entertainment issue. His personality permeates the set, as there is quite a calm vibe to what can be a chaotic event, but it's good spirits all around as we move from one great fit to another.

"The day was great,' he says when we meet up at Kloof Street House two days later. 'I loved the looks. I love fashion and people who understand fashion. Many just follow it because it's trendy or superficially for the brand name, so I like people who can move it around and take risks. So I enjoyed it. It's also surreal, because I've been a staunch GQ fan since way back, so to be on the cover is very exciting.

Appearing in partnership with Birkenstock, Dyantyis says that the collaboration with the brand has been nothing but smooth sailing.

'I genuinely am obsessed with their brand and their shoes. Initially, when there was an opportunity to do a social media story or post, I took it on because I was such a fan. Our relationship then grew because it's a really good match. They understand what I'm about and I fit into their identity without needing to change or compromise in any way. It's rare to find a truly symbiotic brand partnership nowadays, but that's exactly what my partnership with Birkenstock is? Dyantyis is a well-known figure within the SA jazz music scene and is internationally beloved for the profound emotional journeys he weaves through his music. In 2018, he released his first album Somandla, following it up with his second album Cwaka, in December 2021. Both received rave reviews, cementing him as a lasting presence within the music industry.

Additionally, in his role of theatre Musical Director, he has led a number of successful music productions to international acclaim.