Joshua Muswere, Zimpapers Writer
IN the arts, Bulawayo has always been known to produce artists that eventually become legends.
So, while there might be a temptation to look now erstwhile greats, there is a rising crop of artists that also want to attain great. One of the young artists rising from the City of Kings with a voice that heals, a groove that moves, and a spirit that cannot be shaken, is Xantel.
Born Chantel Gugulethu, she is no longer just the girl with a gift. She is Xantel — a rebirth, a purpose, a power.
“I was born Chantel Gugulethu originally but Xantel is who I became, my rebirth, my purpose and power,” she said.
“Xantel means boldness, femininity, and unstoppability. She is soft but she is strong. She is spiritual but she is not afraid to shine. She is the woman I had to become to carry the music God gave me.”
She knew Xantel was ready for the world the day she stopped apologizing.
“When I realized my story, my pain, my culture and my voice were not too much, they were exactly what the world needed. That’s when Gugulethu allowed Xantel to step forward.”
Ask her what shaped her, and she doesn’t hesitate. Home was Lovemore Majaivana, Oliver Mtukudzi and legends from within our borders and beyond.
Bulawayo gave her the rhythm, the legends gave her the standard.
From that rich soil, she has grown a sound that refuses to be boxed — Afro-pop, soul, R&B, jazz, all laced with unmistakable Ndebele rhythms.
“My sound is one that will leave you healed, encouraged and wanting more,” she said.
“I stay rooted in my culture, but I speak through soul and jazz so the world can understand it. My sound is traditional in spirit, but global in feeling.” If you felt something shift when you first heard “Icebo”, you were not alone. The song about hope came from a deeply vulnerable place.
“I was at a very vulnerable state having witnessed close friends around me go through tough times and I myself couldn’t even assist because I had my own fair share of troubles,” Xantel shared.
In an industry that can be tough for a young woman from Bulawayo, Xantel said hope was her anchor.
“Hope means believing in myself even when no one does, even when some people try to bring me down and discourage me with negativity. Hope to me means working consistently hard hoping to reach my goal and get to the top even when I don’t have the guarantee that would happen.”
“Hope means to keep investing in releasing music even when the finances are not enough and I am not even sure it will pay off and finally, hope means to stand strong and keep my head held high as difficult as it might be in this male dominated industry,” she said.
If her first effort, “Icebo” was the heart speaking, Xantel said her next foot forward, “Akekho” was the soul rising.
“Akekho” which means “There is no one”, is a powerful anthem rooted in resilience and faith. With its soulful groove, driving 3-step rhythm and log drum pulse, it carries one bold declaration: when God has opened the door for you, no one can shut it.
“Absolutely. This song is my journey,” Xantel says. “There was a time when everything was against me and it felt like doors were closing from every side. But God kept opening windows I didn’t even pray for.”
“Akekho came from that place, from realizing that when God has chosen you, no one’s opinion, jealousy or rejection can cancel your destiny. It’s my testimony.”
