Duduza – Nonkululeko Mabena (26) is known as Qulee on stage and is a South African neo-soul vocalist, songwriter and voice artist whose work bridges contemporary soul, jazz-influenced phrasing and globally informed rhythmic textures.
After matric, Mabena studied Musical theatre and Dance for a year at Oakfields College. That enabled background in music, sight-singing, dance, and drama.
“I developed a passion for establishing myself as an artist, hence the release of my debut single Soldier of Love in 2020. I wanted to learn more about the industry and ventured into doing features for artists, and was featured in the Simnandi vol26 as the opening with Dj Jaivane in 2023.
“I have also been performing in events such as You Are My Sunday (YAMS) as well as places like The Heidelberg Jazz Festival, which featured artists such as Simmy, Mzizi Shembe, Fez the Soulstar and the muffinz,” she explained.
Her sound is characterised by warm, expressive vocal delivery, introspective lyricism and an understated fusion of classic boom-bap sensibilities with modern alternative R’n’B aesthetics.
Nonkululeko Mabena is a South African neo-soul vocalist. Photo: Supplied
Both locally and internationally, Mabena has performed extensively through resident artist contracts in five-star hospitality environments, developing a refined live repertoire shaped by diverse audiences and cross-cultural musical exchange.
These residencies strengthened her ability to navigate between intimate storytelling and cosmopolitanism.
“My collaborative work includes engagements with producers and musicians across Turkey and Europe, notably sharing creative spaces with master percussionist Mehmet Akatay.
“These encounters introduced broader rhythmic influences that continue to inform my phrasing, arrangement choices and sonic restraint,” she added.
“Beyond performance, I work as a voice-over artist and independently direct much of my visual output, shaping a cohesive artistic language that connects sound, texture and visual minimalism.”
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Mabena in collaboration with The Kitchen Boss, recently hosted a Sip n Sing event, a culturally rich, sensory-driven event that showcased local talent across disciplines. It provided a collaborative environment for creatives across sectors, offering an elevated, intimate experience.
“The event was also a wine tasting event with a curated meal paired with local wines, with live music. It also included an intimate live recorded podcast conversation exploring art, food, music and fashion, focusing on creative entrepreneurship and cultural identity and innovation,” she said.
Mabena, a soulful R’n’B and jazz vocalist, makes her a choice for a mature palate and taste, which always exposes her to the hospitality scene.
She has worked in five-star establishments abroad, elevating her journey and exposing her to a variety of cultures and music soundscapes. Mabena is determined to break barriers and make a name for herself in the music industry.
Nompumelelo Mthembu, Nokululeko Mabena, Mabotle Mphuti, Bulelwa Ndongeni, Simphiwe and Nonhlanhla Mackenzie. Photo: Supplied
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