Based:Cape Town
Odwa Bongo is a critically acclaimed South African vocalist, uHadi instrumentalist and cultural storyteller based in Cape Town, South Africa. He is known for blending indigenous isiXhosa sound traditions with contemporary vocal and musical expression — building bridges between ancestral music and modern stage performance.
Odwa is one of the country’s most prominent contemporary players of the uHadi musical bow, a traditional single‑stringed Xhosa instrument that produces resonant tones and deep cultural significance. A graduate of the South African College of Music at the University of Cape Town, he received the Dean’s Merit List Award for his academic excellence in music performance.
His musical journey started early, including touring internationally with the Drakensberg Boys Choir and winning Best Tenor Soloist credentials. Odwa’s work has taken him to major South African cultural platforms, including the V&A Waterfront Take the Stage series, Artscape, The Baxter Theatre and the Standard Bank National Arts Festival, as well as collaborations with acclaimed artists such as Dr. Madosini, Camagwini, Zolani Mahola and Morena Leraba.
As a cultural creative, Odwa has been recognised by The Wire (Celebrity Services Africa) as one of South Africa’s top LGBTIQ+ creatives, and his music has featured in documentary projects and cultural showcases across the country.
In addition to live performance, Odwa leads The uHadi Experience, an annual music and storytelling showcase dedicated to reviving respect for indigenous bow traditions — featured at venues such as WOMAD South Africa and national theatres.
His evolving body of work includes contemporary singles like Qula Kwedini and Vuka, recorded collaborations, and performances that spotlight the uHadi’s expressive potential in today’s music landscape.
