Anam Lelethu Manyati
Hailing from the Eastern Cape, based in Johannesburg, Ikati Esengxoweni, is a New Age, Afrofuturistic duo with
isiXhosa folk leanings from South Africa.
“Cat in the Sack”. Is the rough translation of their name Ikati Esengxoweni, whose nucleus is
the duo of composers Lark Wantu and Anam Manyati, two of the most productive talents to
come out of South Africa of late.Accompanied by electronic sounds influenced by several
elements including indigenous instruments, violin, bass, guitar and drums, the voices of Wantu
and Manyati open a torrent of sounds and rhythms that proudly wear the DNA of their
continent.” Primavera Sound Newsletter 2018
Upon their establishment in 2016, Ikati Esengxoweni, was handpicked by IMEXSA,
Independent Music Exporters South Africa, to perform, network and attend business
conferences specifically at Primavera and Midem in France in 2016. In 2018, the duo were
specially requested by Primavera to return to Barcelona to perform at Primavera in 2018.
In December 2018, Ikati Esengxoweni won the Afro Punk Battle of the bands competition and
in doing so were selected on the main stage at the APF in Johannesburg, alongside
international artists like Thundercat, The Internet and Flying Lotus.
- “Ikati Esengxoweni, has the potential to be one of the biggest Alternative bands
globally.” Karen Marie Mason – MD at Artist Launch, in the United States of
America - “Ikati Esengxoweni, are legends in the making” Dawn Madolo – Department Of Sport,
Recreation, Arts & Culture; Nelson Mandela Metro - “Ikati Esengxoweni’s girls are encapsulating on stage.” Julie Coetzee – Business
Entrepreneur, MC& Event HostIKATI ESENGXOWENI ARTICLES:https://afropunk.com/2020/12/new-age-south-african-music-duo-ikati-esengxoweni-
releases-debut-single-the-cradle-of-humankind/http://exposafrica.com.ng/south-african-music-duo-ikati-esengxoweni-releases-debut-
single-the-cradle-of-humankind/https://bubblegumclub.co.za/music/ikati-esengxoweni-an-indie-folk-band-rooted-in-isixhosa-
culture/The duo has worked with BlackBrain Motion Pictures. Their unique sound featured as
soundtracks to internationally acclaimed “Loving Thokoza” a movie that screened on South
Africa’s DSTV Showmax. “Ookhokho Bethu” meaning “the ones that lived before us” was the
song featured in the struggle movie. South African, National Television channel, Dstv 1Magic &
Mzansi Magic’s, hit drama series, LOCKDOWN, featured, “Ting Ting”, one of Ikati
Esengxoweni’s tracks, as a soundtrack in prison acting scenes in Season 2-5. Both television
productions have gone on to win big at the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs),
scooping Best Made for TV Movie as well as Best Original Music or Score TV Drama. Ting Ting, is currently a soundtrack on Black Brain’s Diep City. “The Cradle Of Humankind”, is the pair’s recently released song in languages such
as Bamba, Swahili & IsiXhosa. Presently the track is Playlisted on multiple National Radio
Stations. The track can be set as a Vodacom & MTN Callertune. The genre bending song is
distributed online, together with “Ting Ting” which can be found on the Lockdown
Soundtrack, on Apple Music, Spotify as well as ALL Digital Platforms.TV Appearances: BET AFRICA
SELIMATHUNZI
SABC 3
BARCELONA CATALAN NEWSRadio Interviews:
MHLOBO WENENE FM
RADIO 2000
BARCELONA RADIO AFRICA MAGAZINEDigital Platforms: https://orcd.co/thecradleofhumankind
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX1cELIZBU4ubb6r8pPtMjg
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/IkatiEsengxoweni/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ikati_SA/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ikati_esengxoweni/
