Ntando's New Chapter

Afro-pop sensation Ntando Bangani is ready for his comeback. He talks to DRUM about past mistakes and hope for the future

- Qhama Dayile

HE WAS once the poster boy for Afro-pop music in South Africa. Everything he touched turned to platinum and he raked in awards like no body ’s business. Fans were falling at his feet in adoration and he lapped it up.

The dreadlocked star had it all. Until everything went horribly wrong.

Crooner Ntando Bangani hit rock bottom – bad career choices, insolvency, the death of his best friend and the loss of his dream home and his fiancée all came crashing down on him.

But the 36-year-old velvet-voiced muso wants everyone to know he’s back – and he intends to claw his way to the top of the Mzansi music scene again.

DRUM caught up with the singer at Muthaland Records where he has signed a marketing deal for his upcoming album.

He says he’s excited to be back after years of struggling to find his feet – he’s been through so many challenges he feels like a cat with nine lives but he’s ready to work again.

“I’m ready for a full comeback. I have a 15-track album waiting to be released in a few weeks and my life is on track,” he says.

But he’s had to do a lot of introspection in order to bounce back. “I had to be strong and understand that my hardships were all learning curves. Now that I’ve matured and found myself I’m ready to share my music again.”

Ntando has been working on his own since leaving record label TS Records for the second time. But for this new album, the multi-award winning singer is working with record label Ghetto Ruff to raise the profile of the CD.