Berita Explained

Berita
Birth Name:Gugulethu Khumalo
Birth Place:Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Origin:Zimbabwe
Birth Date:1991 6, df=y
Genre:Afro-soul, Afro pop
Instrument:Vocals, acoustic guitar
Years Active:2012–present
Label:Assali Music

Gugulethu Khumalo (born 27 June 1991), best known by her stage name Berita, is a Zimbabwean-born singer, songwriter and music producer. Her music is a combination of soul music containing elements from Afro Jazz, contemporary pop influences as well as South African dance music. She is the owner of the independent record label Assali Music.[1] She is also the founder of the Women of Music Business (WOMB), a pan African women empowerment organisation in the music industry.[2]

Early life and education

Berita was born on the 27th of June 1991 in Bulawayo. She is the first born in a family of five. She spent a part of her childhood in Bulawayo and Zhombe where her parents were teachers at Rio Tinto.[3] She attended St Martin de Porres in Zhombe, Nketa Primary school and Greenfield Primary school in Bulawayo.[4] In 2007, she moved to New Zealand with her family in search of greener pastures due to the difficult economic and political climate in Zimbabwe and later moved to South Africa to pursue her tertiary education at Walter Sisulu University in the Eastern Cape.[5]

Career

In 2012, she released her debut album titled Conquering Spirit, which peaked at #1 on iTunes and earned her Gold Status on RISA and won the Best African Pop Album award at the 2013 Metro FM Awards.[6]

In 2014, she collaborated with legendary singers Hugh Masekela and Oliver Mtukudzi on the single, "Mwana Wa Mai".[7] That following year she collaborated with Black Motion on the "Mwana Wa Mai" remix.[8]

In 2016, she participated in Coke Studio which resulted in the release of the single, "Vusu Yeke" which she collaborated with rapper, Yanga Chief.[9]

Her single "Ezizweni" peaked #1 on Metro FM’s Top 40 chart and Ukhozi FM’s Top 20 chart[10] And her debut single titled "Ndicel'ikiss" peaked #21 on the radio monitor RAMS charts, recorded under her independent label ASSALI Music. She collaborated with Mobi Dixon on her single "Ezizweni"[10] and Da Capo on "Found You".[11]

In February 2020, she released her fourth studio album, Songs in the Key of Love.[12] At the 27th annual South African Music Awards, the album received an award for the Rest of Africa Award.[13] The album's leading single "Jikizinto" peaked #1 on the Radio Monitor charts, making her the first female solo independent artist to peak #1 in the new decade.[14] Her previous music release "Ungandibulali" peaked #1 spending 3 weeks at the top on the Radio Monitor Charts, the single featured Ndlovu Youth Choir and was the theme song during the 2020s 16 Days of activism period as part of SABC's 'Do Not Turn A Blind Eye' campaign against GBV.[15] She also collaborated with Amanda Black on the single, "Siyathandana".[16]

In fashion, she has collaborated with local South African designers such as Athenkosi Mgundlwa, KISUA and Rich Factory.[17]

She has performed at music festivals such as the Bayimba International Festival in Uganda, Lake of Stars Festival,[18] Jakaranda Music Festival in Zimbabwe[19] and the Cape Town Jazz Festival as part of Oliver Mtukudzi’s tribute concert.[20]

On 27 May 2021, she was appointed as one of the board members for the Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA).[21]

Discography

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
TitleYearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
ZA
"Mwana Wa Mai" 2015Songs Of Empowerment
"Vesu Yeke" (Berita, Yanga) 2016Coke Studio South Africa: Season 2
"Suprises" 2017Berita
"Ndicel'ikiss" 2019Songs in the Key of Love
"Yours" 2020
"Jikizinto"
"Siyathandana"
"Ungandi bulali" (Berita, Ndlovu Youth Choir)
"Peace of Mind" (featuring Abidoza, Alie Keys)2023
"Body"
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Awards and nominations

YearAward ceremonyPrizeResult
2013Metro FM Music AwardsBest African pop album [22]
2015South African Afro Music Awards Rising Star of the Year[23]
Songwriter of the Year[24]
2016Zimbabwe Achievers AwardsMusic artist of the Year [25]
2016Eastern Cape Music AwardsBest female [26]
2019Zimbabwe Achievers AwardsMusic artist of the Year [27]
2021Zimbabwe Music AwardsBest RNB & Soul[28]
Best Album of the Year
South African Music AwardsRest of Africa Artist [29]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Berita, Ami Faku & more: meet SA's new generation of fierce female artists. Times Live. 29 March 2021.
  2. Web site: Sony Music Africa partners with Women of Music Business to launch new 'masterclass' training programme. bizcommunity.com. 28 April 2021.
  3. Web site: One on one with Gugulethu 'Berita' Khumalo's mom. bulawayo24.com. 29 March 2021.
  4. Web site: Xhosas claim her . . . as she takes South Africans by storm. chronicle.co.zw. 29 March 2021.
  5. Web site: The background and the story behind Berita. beatmagazinesa.co.za. 29 March 2021.
  6. Web site: The Rise of Zimbabwean Music Star .... voazimbabwe.com. 29 March 2021.
  7. Web site: It's all love as Berita releases new song. sowetanlive.co.za. 29 March 2021.
  8. Web site: Berita collaborates with Black Motion for ‘Mwana Wa Mai’ remix. yomzansi.com. 29 March 2021.
  9. Web site: Berita, Yanga taking the airwaves by storm. dispatchlive.co.za. 29 March 2021.
  10. Web site: Mobi Dixon debuts ‘Ezizweni’ music video feat. Berita. yomzansi.com. 29 March 2021.
  11. Web site: STREAM: Da Capo & Berita collaborate on new single ‘Found You’. yomzansi.com. 29 March 2021.
  12. Web site: Berita hosts listening session ahead of releasing new album, Songs In The Key Of Love. Just Nje. 29 March 2021.
  13. News: South Africa . News24. Qhama. Dayile. Here's the full list of the SAMA winners Drum. 31 July 2021.
  14. Web site: Berita whets fans appetite with Amanda Black collab. chronicle.co.zw. 29 March 2021.
  15. Web site: WATCH: Berita And Ndlovu Youth Choir Release Emotive Video For Anti GBV Song "Ungandibulali". Zkhiphani. 29 March 2021.
  16. Web site: Berita and Amanda Black celebrate black love with Siyathandana video. News24. 29 March 2021.
  17. Web site: Live N ReYired with Berita on YFM. icekream.co.za. 29 March 2021.
  18. Web site: Lake of Stars Festival 2018 – What to Expect. Kaya FM. 29 March 2021.
  19. Web site: Zim Jacaranda Music Festival a hit. mukuru.com. 29 March 2021.
  20. Web site: Jazz Festival signs off on a high note. iol.co.za. 28 April 2021.
  21. Web site: JUST IN: Leveling up. . . Berita appointed RiSA board member. chronicle.co.zw . 28 May 2021.
  22. Web site: 2013 Metro FM Music Awards: The winners. news24.com. 29 March 2021.
  23. Web site: Why Berita’s a big deal. News24. 29 March 2021.
  24. Web site: Berita wins Songwriter of the Year. chronicle.co.zw. 29 March 2021.
  25. Web site: ICYMI: SA Zimbabwe Achievers 2016 Awards Full Nominees List. youthvillage.co.zw. 29 March 2021.
  26. Web site: Berita wins Best Female at the Eastern Cape Music Awards. news24.com. 29 March 2021.
  27. Web site: ZimAchievers Awards South Africa announces 2019 Nominees, partners. newzimbabwe.com. 29 March 2021.
  28. Web site: JUST IN: ZIMA nominees out. herald.co.zw. 29 March 2021.
  29. Web site: Samas 27: Nominations are out and men are leading the nods . The Citizen . 20 May 2021.