“EthniX” band members -Nonhlanhla Mahlanghu on vocals, Rike on Sax, Phiwe Solomon on Double Bass and Alwin Botha on piano and guitar PHOTO – GIFT NDOLWANE
JOHANNESBURG -EthniX is a reflection of a true rainbow nation that South Africa is synonymous with. Their repertoire
ranges from jazzy moods to more current styles and some world music.
The band whose members are Nonhlanhla Mahlangu on vocals, Rike on saxaphone, Phiwe Solomon
on double bass and Alwin Botha on piano and guitar, make up a collaboration of accomplished and
seasoned musicians, offering background music in a jazzy, as well as African and contemporary style to
create atmosphere and ambiance at events.
“Our name “EthniX” is derived from our different ethnic backgrounds, Nonhlanhla being Ndebele from
Bronkhorstspruit, Phiwe Xhosa from the Eastern Cape, Alwin from Eldorado Park from a Coloured
background and Rike from Johannesburg with an Afrikaans background,” explains group spokesperson
Rike Coetzer.
The group believes that their attraction and strength lies in their cultural diversity and love and
respect for all the different cultures and ethnic groups that South Africa is endowed with.
“In fact, South Africa can truly be an example to the rest of the world, with this special mix of people, the true Rainbow nation. We can be so powerful together when we utilize the strengths of all. Within our diversity, we have a whole new identity, where the whole is bigger than the some of its parts. We would love our music to underline this in some way,” Rike adds.
The group who have carved a name for themselves at major corporate events, doing cover versions that pay tribute to some of the country’s greats, such as Lira, Brenda Fassie, Judith Sepuma.
They are also busy putting together musical ideas to bring out an album once they have raised enough money for the production, adds Rike whose exploits on alto and sopranos have seen her perform in far away countries such as Abu Dhabi.
“We also celebrate music that is ethnic and in a way “earthy”, “World music” – moods influenced by landscapes, ( eg Ayob Agoda from Kenya), real atmosphere music where you can almost see and feel the landscapes just by listening to the music” says the accomplished saxaphone player.
With the band ‘s vast musical experience there is no doubt the sky is the limit for this multi –cultural group whose other member Phiwe Solomon has performed with songstress Sibongile Khumalo, Andile Yenana and has also travelled to South America and America on music tours.
Yenana is also a lecturer in music and bass at the Central Johannesburg College.
While Alwin Botha, also known as Mr Keys, has performed in 17 countries across the world, was resident musician at Intercontinental Hotel in Doha, Dubai and Singapore. He also has a studio in Johannesburg where he does recordings, produces music and also performs as a solo one man band – as singer, guitarist and keyboard player.
On the other hand their lead vocalist Nonhlanhla Mahlangu has enthralled audiences, from stage shows to full bands as well as solo musician and is a resident musician at the Da Vinci Hotel in Sandton.
She regularly performs at corporate events with familiar songs that make guests feel proud to be South African.
Mahlangu moved to Johannesburg in 2000 to pursue a career as a musician and has
Worked with big names such as Hotstix, Blue heads, Zama Jobe, Olufemi to name but a few. She also
performs regularly at Moyo’s in Melrose Arch.
–Guardian
