Manana’s ethereal vocals act as a vehicle for his poignant ruminations on love and relationships. Born Ndumiso Manana in the Kingdom of Eswatini in 1994, Manana is an adept South Africa-based singer, songwriter and producer whose versatility allows him to effortlessly cross genres. While his 2020 debut album, in the beginning was the end, could be categorised as R&B, Manana is also a member of the multinational jazz band Seba Kaapstad and has contributed as a writer to songs by artists such as Kenyan Afropop group Sauti Sol (“Feel My Love and Fire”), Nigerian Afrobeats megastar Burna Boy (“Time Flies”), and South African soul singer Ami Faku (“eBhayi”). Manana’s gleaming vocals and understanding of various genres can be attributed to the six years he spent in the esteemed Drakensberg Boys Choir School in the 2000s as well as his degree in vocal jazz, which he obtained from the University of Cape Town.