Nduduzo Makhathini Biography: Wife, Awards, Kids, Height, Ethnicity, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Songs

Nduduzo Makhathini is a South African jazz pianist, composer, teacher, healer, and bandleader who emerged on the global stage with his debut on the prestigious Blue Note label in 2020.

Born and raised in Pietermaritzburg within the uMgungundlovu area, his music draws deeply from Zulu cosmo-philosophy and ritual, expressed through improvisational jazz.

His breakthrough album, Modes of Communication: Letters from the Underworlds, was hailed as one of the New York Times’ Best Jazz Albums of 2020.

Profile

• Full name: Nduduzo Makhathini
• Date of birth: 24 September 1982
• Age: 43 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Umgungundlovu, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
• State of origin: KwaZulu‑Natal
• Nationality: South African
• Profession: Jazz pianist, composer, teacher, philosopher, healer
• Height: N/A
• Parents: N/A
• Siblings: N/A
• Spouse: Omagugu Makhathini
• Children: Nailah Makhathini, Thingo Makhathini, Moyo Makhathini
• Relationship status: Married
• Religion: Traditional Zulu/spiritual healer (sangoma)
• Ethnicity: Zulu
• Net worth: $5 million

Early Life and Education

Nduduzo Makhathini is now 43 and was born on 24 September 1982 in the Umgungundlovu area near Pietermaritzburg. He learned to play piano from his mother, who had formal classical training, and absorbed music from church and township settings.

Raised in a region steeped in Zulu musical and ritual traditions, he explored those traditions deeply, citing influence from musicians like Bheki Mseleku, Moses Molelekwa, and Abdullah Ibrahim.

In 2005, he completed a Diploma in Jazz Piano at Durban University of Technology. In March 2023, he earned a PhD in Music from Stellenbosch University, focusing his dissertation on Ntu cosmology and improvisation in South African jazz.

Personal Life

Nduduzo Makhathini is married to singer and artist Omagugu Makhathini. The couple partnered to found Gundu Entertainment in 2014, and they have three children: Nailah, Thingo, and Moyo Makhathini.

Career

Since beginning his professional career around 2000, Nduduzo has collaborated with prominent South African jazz figures like Zim Ngqawana, Simphiwe Dana, Feya Faku, and McCoy Mrubata.

In 2014, he co-founded Gundu Entertainment and released several albums, including Sketches of Tomorrow, Mother Tongue, Listening to the Ground, Matunda Ya Kwanza, Icilongo: The African Peace Suite, Inner Dimensions, Reflections (solo piano), and Ikhambi—the latter winning Best Jazz Album at the 2018 South African Music Awards.

In 2020, he signed to Blue Note, releasing Modes of Communication, followed by In the Spirit of Ntu (2022) and uNomkhubulwane (2024).

Nduduzo has performed at major festivals—Cape Town, Essence, Winter Jazzfest—and in 2019 appeared at Blue Note Jazz Club and Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wynton Marsalis. He holds a teaching position, leading the Music Department at the University of Fort Hare.

Awards

• Standard Bank Young Artist Award in Jazz 2015
• Best Jazz Artist at All Africa Music Awards 2017
• Best Jazz Album, South African Music Awards for Ikhambi 2018
• Named one of DownBeat’s 25 future-shaping jazz artists in 2020
• Modes of Communication: Letters from the Underworlds – New York Times Best Jazz Album 2020
• German Record Critics’ Award (In the Spirit of Ntu) 2022
• Edison Jazz Instrumental International Award 2023
• German Jazz Prize: Live Act of the Year International 2025  

Net worth

Nduduzo Makhathini’s net worth is estimated to be at least $5 million. His income stems from album sales (through Gundu Entertainment and Blue Note), international touring fees, academic salary, grants, and award incentives.

Social Media

• Instagram: @nduduzomakhathini
• Twitter/X: N/A

Discography

• Mother Tongue (2014)
• Sketches of Tomorrow (2014)
• Listening to the Ground (2015)
• Matunda Ya Kwanza, Vol One (2015)
• Icilongo – The African Peace Suite (2016)
• Inner Dimensions (2016)
• Reflections (2016)
• Ikhambi (2018)
• Modes Of Communication: Letters from the Underworlds (2020)
• In the Spirit of Ntu (2022)
• uNomkhubulwane (2024)