Otley Bookfest 2026 - Authentic Authoring of African Stories

Authentic Authoring of African Stories

Sunday 29 November • Doors 2pm • Showtime 2.30pm – 4.30pm

Wesley Hall, Walkergate, Otley

Dr Brighid Webster talks to writer, composer and vocalist Thanda Gumede about telling African stories on your own terms.

Thanda Gumede

Debuted in the UK at the inaugural ‘Nelson Mandela Day’ which was sanctioned by the United Nations in London; his music blends African traditional sounds with jazz, gospel, classical and neo-soul—always rooted in rhythm, spirituality and story.

Thanda is a composer, vocalist, and a multidisciplinary artist of Xhosa and Zulu heritage, originally from South Africa. His name is Thandanani Gumede, although most people call him Thanda (pronounced like ‘Tanda’)—a Zulu name that means Love One Another. His voice embodies the sounds of his dual heritage—including the distinct clicks of the southern Bantu languages—and he uses it to share joy, lamentation, activism and connection.

Performance appearances include the Haymarket Theatre Royal at the West End; the Roundhouse Theatre in London; the award winning Pizza Express Jazz Club in Soho; the London Jazz Festival, the BBC Proms and Buckingham Palace for Queen Elizabeth II and her family. Additionally, he performed for the late Emeritus Bishop Desmond Tutu alongside cellists Abel Selaocoe and Yo-Yo Ma in London.

Radio and TV features include SKY 1, BBC Radio & BBC TV, SABC,  ITV and Channel 5 with international exhibitions across the globe including Australia, Germany, Poland, South Africa and Thailand.

Locally, Leeds has become a creative home for Thanda, where he became a contributing author to Books Without Borders through the University of Leeds (commissioned by the Arts and Humanities Research Council). He has worked extensively with Opera North as well as with Jazz North and Manchester Jazz where he currently serves as a Board member.

Further collaborations include the National Youth Jazz Orchestra in London and Buxton International Festival where Thanda was commissioned to compose the first ever African opera in Europe with the libretto by Zodwa Nyoni; he cross pollinated Classical music with jazz, gospel and African Traditional genre amalgamates. His personal passion is providing bespoke specialist vocal tuition to private clients when possible, and working with Otley Action where he serves as the MD for their choir for older people.

Tickets £10 (Plus a small booking fee)

We want everyone to feel welcome at Otley Common. If you have any access requirements or need any support to attend this event, please get in touch with us before the day and we'll do our best to help. hello@otleycommon.org