Amanda Black

Born Amanda Benedicta Antony in South Africa’s Eastern Cape on July 24th 1993,  Amanda is an Award-winning singer/songwriter who first came to the limelight as a contestant on the  popular TV Show, Idols South Africa, where she contested 3 times, only breaking through in season  11 where she made the final 7. Less than a year later she took the industry by storm with the release of her critically acclaimed hit  single and debut album Amazulu in 2016, an inspiring and easily relatable soulful piece. Amanda then went on to appear on numerous prestigious stages such as the Cape Town international Jazz festival, Essence Music Festival headlining an array of music shows including the Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts, the prestigious RMB Starlight Classics amongst many others including her very first 1 woman concert “A Night with Amanda Black” at The Gold Reef Lyric  Theatre in Nov 2017.  

In 2019 she released her triumphant sophomore album titled Power where she roars in a her to  reclaim her power and fight for her voice and place in the industry. Almost 2 years later she released her much anticipated third studio album titled Mnyama in August  of 2021, where she reflects on her state of mind and the conversations she had with herself in  processing the effects of the pandemic and her life in its entirety until now. She introspects her past  challenges and takes the listener along on her journey of self awareness and healing. Following the release of Mnyama she headed on an intimate concert tour across South Africa.  Nov 2023 marked her 6th year as a recording artist, the songstress released her fourth studio album From My Soil Yours where she bares all about her journey of self acceptance and self love. An inspired story teller, consummate performer and Afro - Rockstar! Amanda Black is a force  to be reckoned with and a global icon in the making.  

Nkosinathi Maki

Nkosinathi Maki, the founder of the Mandela Bay Comedy Festival, has always had a niche for entertaining crowds. From a young age, his way around words brought much laughter. He later made a career out of his gift and is now a renowned South African stand-up comedian, MC, and host. He reaped the rewards of his passionate work of entertainment with an award for Best Solo Show at The National Arts Festival in 2019 for his exceptional performance.

In 2022, he was the winner of the Jive Funny Festival Championship. Furthermore, he was nominated twice for the Savanna Comics Choice Awards in 2023. Comedians turn lemons into lemonades by making jokes, even about the most difficult things in we face as a society. Maki is affectionately known for doing just that.