'Singing is my first love'

Maki Margaret, who is also known Mandy, is a singer, performer, song writer and composer from Orlando East.

Mandy started pursuing music at the age of 15 by entering the Shell Road to Fame talent search where she reached the finals.

She has also worked as a backup singer with the likes of Brenda Fassie.

“I was a diehard fan of Brenda Fassie, little did I know that I that I would one day work closely with her,” she said.

After touring with Brenda Fassie and performing for more than 10 years, Mandy decided to settle down and start a family.

“Life happened and I had children but I always knew that I would go back to music,” she said.

In 2012 Mandy dicided to go back to her first love, music and recorded her first solo album titled ‘Ngiyavuma’.

She said that this album is non classified as it is a mixture of pop, disco, soul and a bit of Afro soul.

“It took a lot of sleepless nights and days in the studio to complete this album. While making it I realised that I have more talent than I knew. I did not know that I could write and compose music – this album took all my talents,” she said.

Mandy said that one of her goals is to bring back the days when artists would perform at community halls and it would be a full house.

“I want to perform for people, that is all I want. I love singing and I want to share my gift with others,” she said.