Afro-folk masterstroke

I've always loved singing. I harboured a dream of being a singer but didn't think people would want to listen to me . My voice is unconventional .

I started playing guitar to impress my friends. When everyone was sitting around I would play [Bob Marley's] Redemption Song. I just thought I'd jam this song, but three months later I could play 20 songs.

I attended Lady Grey Arts Academy in the Eastern Cape. I couldn't wait to learn what we did as black Africans in the history of the arts. I saw the value of the South African stamp on our artistry. That's why I sing in Xhosa.

Growing up in Tsolo in the Eastern Cape meant I had a sheltered childhood. I didn't know what racism was because we all had the same skin colour.

I would describe my music as folk because it's story-oriented. It's about what's going on around us - the everyday situation. The word folk itself refers to the people. My music deals with issues a lot of people can relate to.

Paulo Chibanga is an older brother-mentor figure to me. We met about six years ago and soon started making music together. I respect him. He taught me everything I know about the music industry. [340ml's Chibanga produced Umlilo]

A racial situation inspiredUmlilo's title track. It was brought about by that total disregard a person can have towards you just because of skin colour. I wanted to write a kind of struggle song and a song about my blackness.

I once had a small role on Generations as an advertising executive. I was the guy saying: "Can someone pass the stapler?" I thought: "This line is going to change my life. They'll see how much talent I have." It didn't work that way. I wrote a song about leaving acting, called Ndibonisiwe.

• 'Umlilo', Mabandla's debut album, is in stores. He has been nominated for a South African Music Award (newcomer of the year)