My Day With Amanda Black

Edwain Steenkamp spends a day with Amanda Black. Between getting LOST IN THE MOTHER CITY and participating in an incredible photoshoot, Amanda opens up about her family, her love of music and how she came to love and celebrate herself

- Edwain Steenkamp

I ’ve called Cape Town home for many years, so I’m mortified when I lead Amanda Black and myself completely astray, getting horribly lost while searching for our restaurant where we have a reservation. But while walking a full kilometre uphill, the Idols finalist and three-time SAMA winner is all smiles. She takes everything in: the buildings, the people and even the chilly winter air. This is perhaps my favourite part of the day with her. And while trying to find a way to describe this talented young singer, I realise that her charm lies in the way she observes the world and how she draws inspiration from it – that despite performing on massive stages in front of thousands of adoring fans, she manages to find happiness in life’s smallest details.

We find our way to the restaurant just in time. As she stirs her tea, she smiles and says, ‘This is my favourite. I always drink tea with honey.’ Amanda is undeniably cool. Her hair is swept up effortlessly and she exudes confidence. As we begin our conversation, I’m struck by her energy, warmth and candid honesty.

Born in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, Amanda moved to a small town called Butterworth in the same province soon after she was born, where she grew up with her grandparents. ‘My upbringing was very catholic,’ she says. ‘There were confessions, catechism classes and church every Sunday. But I was a naughty child. There wasn’t a week that would go by that didn’t see me getting a hiding!’ Amanda’s laugh is infectious as she thinks back to her earlier years. ‘I always asked way too many questions – I was so curious. And I was constantly outside. You see, I grew up as a tomboy and I would climb trees. I would be covered in scratches from playing with the dogs, and I would help my grandfather in the garden to work on the engine of his car.’