Madala Kunene (born 1951 in Cato Manor, Durban) is a legendary South African guitarist, vocalist, and cultural icon often hailed as the “King of the Zulu Guitar.” After being displaced with his family to KwaMashu under apartheid, he began busking on Durban’s beachfront at age 7 and later developed a distinctive guitar style blending blues, soul, and Afro-folk with deeply spiritual Zulu vocal traditions.
Since turning professional in the 1970s, Madala has become a key figure in South African roots music, with notable albums such as K’onko Man, King of the Zulu Guitar Vol. 1, First Double 1 & 2, and 1959. He also composed the score for the acclaimed film Yesterday (2004).
Madala continues to perform internationally and has received major honours, including an Honorary Doctor of Music (UKZN, 2023), recognition through the Van Toeka Af Living Legends Series, and the Gold Order of Ikhamanga (2024) for his outstanding contribution to the arts.