A battered old hat lies at the feet of Zimase Ngesi with some coins sitting in its bowl-like hollow. Wearing a weathered light-brown jacket with faded black trousers and slippers, he sits at the same spot every day and has almost become a part of his surroundings.
Placing himself strategically on the corner of Prince Alfred and Somerset streets, Ngesi gets into his daily routine. With his guitar – perhaps his most prized possession – on his lap, he begins to strum away and sing, in the hope that passers-by who notice might give him something in return for his music.
A battered old hat lies at the feet of Zimase Ngesi with some coins sitting in its bowl-like hollow. Wearing a weathered light-brown jacket with faded black trousers and slippers, he sits at the same spot every day and has almost become a part of his surroundings.
Placing himself strategically on the corner of Prince Alfred and Somerset streets, Ngesi gets into his daily routine. With his guitar – perhaps his most prized possession – on his lap, he begins to strum away and sing, in the hope that passers-by who notice might give him something in return for his music.
His singing voice is soft and mysterious – sort of like he is. Many people see Ngesi day after day – but how many can say that they know the story behind Grahamstown's resident busker? Even while performing he seems slightly shy and unobtrusive – as if he tries to sing in such a way that he won't distract passers-by from their own thoughts as they go about their daily business. He isn't in-your-face, and rather lets his patrons come to him on their own terms.
Ngesi has lived here for 20 years, and although he was born in Port Alfred he decided to make Grahamstown his home, and grace the City of Saints with his presence and his music. Twelve years ago Ngesi's passion for music encouraged him to teach himself how to play the guitar, after which he hoped that he could earn a living from it – which he now does.
The songs he performs are often ones that he writes himself, otherwise he picks up pieces from the television or radio that he likes. He also chooses songs that have a personal meaning for him, but some songs he is just fond of, and endeavours to learn and master them for his and his audience's pleasure.
Ngesi is a humble man, and like a statue you can depend on him to be in the same place every day. Being at his regular spot has not only made him a part of many Grahamstonians' daily lives – he is also a living part of the city.
