The angelic voice of Vumile flows through the town
“I believe my life experiences thus far makes me a good support structure for young individuals going through similar issues.”
NEWCASTLE – Vumile Shabangu is not only a talented singer, but also a motivating pillar for the youth of the community.
The 17-year-old Newcastillian began her journey at the young age of 14, when she became a mother to her little bundle of joy, Nontethelelo. Vumile explained her reason for focusing on troubled youth stemmed from her own insecurities, which surfaced due to her physical appearance and others’ opinions of her.
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Some of the challenges she faced included accepting being different as an abnormally tall female and overcoming teenage pregnancy. She realised in order to be happy, she needed to make peace with herself and start making a difference in the community in any way she could.
“I believe my life experiences thus far makes me a good support structure for young individuals going through similar issues.”
Vumile founded a support group at her school and on Facebook called Miss Tawliey’s Blessers, to assist people from disadvantaged families by offering advice and counselling. Here she motivates them to do better and help themselves in constructive ways to try and make a difference.
She has a non-judgemental and approachable personality, making it easy for people to confide in her.
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Vumile possesses extraordinary vocal capabilities, which allows her to express herself through music.
Her mother, Nomvuyo Mlangeni said she wasn’t enthusiastic about Vumile’s singing career initially, but later realised it was her passion and advised her to balance her education, motherhood and singing appropriately in order to live up to her full potential.
Nomvuyo is now extrememly proud of her daughter’s achievements and supports her as best she can. Vumile explained how grateful she was to her mother as being a single parent was very difficult, and she hoped to provide everything her mother desired some day.
Vumile has performed at Gumbafest at Amcor Dam and other gigs in the area. She is currently working on producing an album with Cass Beats Records in Newcastle, which will hopefully be released in 2017, and will include the 12 singles she has already produced.
Her future plans include studying medicine and majoring in gynaecology or psychology, and pursuing a part-time singing career in music.
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