Online Reporter
Makhosazana Kunene
BULAWAYO’S Afro fusion and Afro jazz gem, Lemoniq, is lighting up stages far beyond Zimbabwe’s borders as she charms international audiences with her rich Ndebele sound. From local gigs to packed venues in Germany, the songbird is proving that music speaks a global language.
“I received so much praise and their expressions showed how pleased they were with the whole performance,” she said, reflecting on her overseas shows.
Her journey into music started long before the passports and applause. Lemoniq discovered her love for performing as a little girl. Her first public appearance was in 2010 at her mother’s wedding, a moment she remembers with warm clarity.
“I vividly remember singing at my mom’s wedding in 2010. A decade later, in 2020, I gathered the courage to pursue music professionally. My inspiration comes from the environment I grew up in which was full of love and support from my parents and close family friends,” she said.
Even her stage name carries her creative fingerprint. She didn’t want to compete with countless other Gugulethus in the industry, so she crafted something that felt fresh.
“I created the name Lemoniq from Gugulethu Monica. I took the Le from Gugulethu and Monic from Monica, then replaced the C with a Q to make it stand out.”
But the rise hasn’t been smooth. Like many young artists, Lemoniq has battled limited resources, costly studio time and the hard grind of trying to break into a competitive market.
“Access to quality equipment, studios and networks can be a struggle. Breaking through the noise and getting recognised is not easy. There is limited funding and you have to balance your artistic vision with commercial viability. But it’s not all bad. The music scene is vibrant and there’s a growing appetite for local content,” she said.
Her performances abroad, especially in Germany, have shown how powerful cultural exchange can be. Even though she sings in Ndebele, audiences thousands of kilometres away have connected deeply with her sound, proving that rhythm overrides language barriers.
This year, Lemoniq is gearing up to drop new music that will surprise her fans. She is experimenting with different genres as she aims to reach an even wider audience.
Despite language differences and the challenges of artistic growth, her music continues to unite people from different countries, showing once again that culture travels best through song.
