About Ntombe Thongo

Ntombe Thongo was born in Mtambalala, a small village near Port St Johns, in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.  He became sangoma (traditional healer) at the age of six, where he learned to connect with his ancestors. This connection fueled his natural talents of music and dancing, which brought healing to his community. He learned divination, plant medicines, and how to provide healing for people.

Ntombethongo has since trained many people, including Doug, to become traditional healers in the Pondo tradition, guiding them through the process that he underwent as a child.  He began his musical career as a guitarist in 1992, where he integrated his healing and musical talents.  

“Seventy percent of the things which I sing about come from my dreams,” he explains.  “Music and healing go together.”

He has travelled internationally since 2003 to share his music. Ntombethongo’s debut album, Thokozile, was released in 2012, and won the South African Traditional Music (SATMA) Award as best isiXhosa album of 2012. He was also nominated for a South African Music Award (SAMA) for best Maskandi album in 2013.