Mbalenhle “Mbali” Mthembu—known artistically as Mbali Rose—is a Durban-born scientist turned singer-songwriter whose musical awakening is as powerful as her voice. After an eight-year hiatus, her love for music was rekindled while working in Nashville, where songwriter rounds reignited her creative spark. What began as quiet curiosity quickly evolved into a bold return to the stage, guitar in hand and heart wide open.

Drawing from a blend of indie, folk, Afrofusion, and pop, Mbali creates a sound that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.

Performance Highlights

Mbali has graced stages both locally and internationally, including:

Honeytree Meadery (Nashville, TN)

The Commodore Grille (Nashville, TN)

Ground Culture Café, House of Machines, Kaya Café, and Vegan Goods Market (Cape Town)

The Beyond Busking Experience

In this video, we follow Mbali’s powerful transformation during the Beyond Busking Project 2024/25—from nervous auditionee to confident recording artist.

Through the program, Mbali received hands-on training and mentorship in:

Songwriting

Vocal coaching

Guitar techniques

Musical arrangement

Studio production

Mbali shares how she discovered the program just one day before auditions—and chose to leap. She reflects on unlocking her vocal potential, developing her own lyrical voice, and embracing the vulnerability of performance. Vocal coach Abigail Petersen adds insight into Mbali’s growth, noting her courage and artistic evolution throughout the journey.

New Music Alert: “Gold Dust” Out Now!

Mbali Rose’s debut single “Gold Dust” dropped on Friday, 25 April 2025, across all major streaming platforms.

Written and composed by Mbali Rose

Produced by Ebrahim Mallum (Mallum Studios)

Featuring Mbali on both guitar and vocals

Stream now: distrokid.com/hyperfollow/mba…

Follow Mbali: Instagram & Facebook → @mbalirosemusic

Acknowledgements

CTAF extends heartfelt thanks to the mentors and creatives who guided Mbali’s journey:

Clive Ridgeway – Songwriting

Abigail Petersen – Vocal Coaching

Bradley Prince – Guitar Mentorship

Lynne Holmes – Programme Director

Fatima Dike – Personal Development

About Beyond Busking

The Beyond Busking Project is a flagship programme of the Cape Town Arts Festival, powered by a collaborative vision from the Ariva Arts Foundation and proudly supported by:

The National Arts Council of South Africa (NAC)

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC)

The Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP5)

This initiative is committed to nurturing raw artistic talent by offering essential training, mentorship, and performance platforms. It stands as a testament to the power of creativity, inclusivity, and opportunity in South Africa’s arts ecosystem.

Video by: Nur Felix Film Production