Grammy award-winning singer Nomcebo Zikode has come a long way in the music industry after being a backup singer for more than 15 years.
The 38-year-old recently performed her latest song “Inkanyezi” on S3’s Expresso show and spoke about the road she had to travel to get to where she is now.
In a live broadcast from the show’s Johannesburg studios, Nomcebo told presenter Zanele Potelwa that she was in serious battles with her mental health.
While she was a backup performer to top artists like Zahara, the late Deborah Fraser, and Sfiso Ncwane, there was a time when doubt crept in, and she questioned whether she would ever become a solo artist in her own right.
“I’ve learned not to give up in life. If I did take my life, the world wouldn’t have such a big song – Jerusalema.
“Over the years I used to cry and tell God how unfair he is. Only later I realised why God did things the way he did them,” she said.
Despite all the hardship, she has now grown as both an artist and a person and used the experiences to propel herself going forward. She now also owns her own record label – Emazuluni Productions.
In an interview with GQ South Africa, Nomcebo told the publication that her collaboration with Master KG was the turning point that she needed in her career and altered the course of her journey.
“I am elated that so many people have been unified by this song in the moment of darkness and that it has inspired positivity and joy,” she said at the time.
Also see: Nomcebo Zikode bags Top Entertainer award by Forbes Women Africa
