Nakhane Biography: Books, EPs, Singes, Awards, Girlfriend, Height, Ethnicity, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents

Nakhane Lubabalo Mavuso, known mononymously as Nakhane, is a South African singer-songwriter, actor, and novelist who emerged with their debut album Brave Confusion in 2013.

Known for blending folk, soul, and electronic music, their work resonated both musically and personally as they bravely confronted religious and cultural expectations.

Their role as Xolani in the 2017 film Inxeba (The Wound) drew international critical acclaim and stirred significant controversy, while their follow-up album You Will Not Die solidified their reputation as a powerful artistic voice.

Profile

• Full name: Nakhane Lubabalo Mavuso
• Nickname: Nakhane, formerly Nakhane Touré
• Date of birth: 3 February 1988
• Age: 37 years old
• Gender: Non‑binary (they/them pronouns)
• Place of birth: Alice, Eastern Cape, South Africa
• Nationality: South African
• Profession: Singer, songwriter, actor, novelist
• Height: N/A
• Parents: N/A
• Siblings: N/A
• Spouse: N/A
• Children: N/A
• Relationship status: Single
• Religion: Former Christian, excommunicated  
• Ethnicity: Black South African, Xhosa
• Net worth: $2 million

Early Life and Education

Nakhane is now 37 and was born on 3 February 1988 in Alice, Eastern Cape. They spent their early childhood in the care of their grandmother before moving to Port Elizabeth at age seven to live with their aunt and her husband.

Raised in a deeply religious Christian environment, Nakhane was active in the church choir and became accustomed to classical music, fostered by their aunt, a trained opera singer.

At fifteen, they relocated to Johannesburg, where they felt growing tension with their sexuality and faith. They briefly pursued studies in film music composition, acting, and later literature, but stepped away from these after a year to devote themselves to music and writing.

Personal Life

Nakhane is non-binary and identifies with they/them pronouns. They came out to family and community in their late teens, which led to undergoing conversion therapy before rejecting the church entirely. They maintain a close relationship with their aunt, who has been a strong influence.

Career

Nakhane’s artistic journey began early: at seven, they sang in the school choir and learned multiple instruments, including piano and trombone. At nineteen, their aunt gifted them a guitar, igniting their songwriting and live performance on open-mic stages.

Released in July 2013, Brave Confusion combined acoustic folk with explorations of sexuality, race, and faith; it won Best Alternative Album at the 2014 South African Music Awards. In 2015, Nakhane shifted to electronic-influenced pop, scoring a club hit with “We Dance Again” alongside Black Coffee.

Their second album, You Will Not Die, was released in March 2018, recorded largely in London with producer Ben Christophers. Themes of abandonment of faith, identity, and resilience ran throughout the album, earning critical praise and a SAMA award for Best Alternative Album.

Their third album, Bastard Jargon, emerged in March 2023, with vibrant collaborations including Nile Rodgers and Moonchild Sanelly. Most recently, Nakhane released an EP, Leading Lines, in late 2022, and in January 2025 shared insights on evolving their production approach.

As an actor, Nakhane starred in Inxeba (The Wound) in 2017, playing Xolani—a role that attracted both acclaim (multiple Best Actor awards) and backlash, including death threats and an X18 film rating.

This led them to relocate to London in 2018. They also appeared in Anthem: Homunculus (2019), Two Eyes (2020), Ear for Eye (2021), and Crave (short film, 2024).

Their debut novel, Piggy Boy’s Blues (2015), explores identity and family through an Xhosa lens and was nominated for both Barry Ronge and Etisalat fiction prizes.

Awards

• Best Alternative Album – Brave Confusion (South African Music Awards, 2014)
• Best Alternative Album – You Will Not Die (South African Music Awards, 2019)
• Best Actor – Durban International Film Festival (for Inxeba)
• Best Actor – Palm Springs International Film Festival (for Inxeba)
• Best Actor – South African Film and Television Awards (for Inxeba)

Net worth

Nakhane’s net worth is $2 million. Their income is derived from music sales, streaming, album tours, acting roles, literary royalties, and creative production credits.

Controversy

Following the release of Brave Confusion and publicly embracing queer identity, Nakhane was formally excommunicated from their church. Their role in Inxeba triggered significant backlash, including cinema bans, an X18 rating, and death threats that ultimately influenced their move to London.

Social Media

• Instagram: @nakhaneofficial
• YouTube: Nakhane  

Filmography

• The Wound (2017)
• Anthem: Homunculus (2019)
• Two Eyes (2020)
• Ear for Eye (2021)
• Crave (short film, 2024)  

Discography

Studio albums:

• Brave Confusion (29 July 2013)
• You Will Not Die (16 March 2018)
• Bastard Jargon (March 2023)  

EPs:

• Leading Lines (2022)  

Singles:

• We Dance Again (with Black Coffee, 2015)
• Tell Me Your Politik (feat. Moonchild Sanelly & Nile Rodgers, 2022)
• Killer 25 (2025)  

Books

• Piggy Boy’s Blues (2015)