Musical Storyteller |
Soulful Songwriter |
Creative Entrepreneur
Audrey Mbuyazi’s personality is anything but a one-woman-show typecast. You sense this in her ability to put everyone she meets at instant ease, and sweep people up into her whirlwind life. In keeping with this theme, she managed to squeeze 5 collaborations into her 1st “solo” album. Included is a duet with Idols winner Heinz Winckler. A recording artist with 3 albums to her name, her music is for the soul. It offers something for everyone, with a blend of African ballad, soul, jazz, classical and even disco. Audrey’s albums feature songs of love, praise & worship, as well as friendship, encouragement and even the thorny issue of abortion.
Not one to rest on her laurels, Audrey is also an author and playwright and produced a “Broadway style” musical, The Signs, which was staged at the Johannesburg Civic Theatre.
Added to this, Audrey is an international speaker who cheers others on to fulfil their God-given dreams. She combines her music and speaking to convey this powerful message and both have taken her all over the world.
As a creative entrepreneur Audrey engages in out-of-the-box thinking and her latest project is a bilingual board game (IsiZulu & English), the first of its kind titled “Afro’s Gold – Igolide Lase Afro”.
In the business arena, Audrey is an Oracle Consultant who’s worked all over the world identifying and delivering sustainable improvements for clients in financial services, telecommunications, utilities, education, government and mining industries.
Audrey is married to Phiwayinkosi and they have four children. She says of her family: “Some families play cricket, others swim or ride donkeys, WE DO MUSIC!” Her children are accomplished musicians in their own right with albums and singles already in the market.
“Despite the similarities & differences to yourself that you see in other people, you are still the only one who can do what you do” - Audrey Mbuyazi
@audreymbuyazi on Instagram
AUDREY speaks to Strongest Story on life’s big turning points, not being Whitney Houston & living your best life…
“I was one who was blessed with knowing exactly what I wanted to do with my life when I grew up. I had always wanted to be a singer, my favourite being South Africa’s Brenda Fassie or Sweden’s ABBA. From the moment I could remember my dreams were set and sure. I would sing. As a youngster I just wanted to share that which I knew God had given me, a voice.
But as I grew into my teens then young adulthood I realised that the world was filled with singers, many singers, and many who were more accomplished and diligent and more equipped than me. Why would anyone want to listen to me if they could hear Whitney Houston or others like her? So slowly I laid down my goals and tools and occasionally sang in the safety of a church worship team. At least I was singing. It wasn’t half the size of my dream or my “calling” but it was something.
Until tragedy hit and my son passed away at the tender age of 20 months and I was reminded that not all of us will live to be 75.
Believing that God has a unique plan for each and every single one of us, I did not want to one day stand before Him and have Him ask what I had done with my gift and not be able to say that I had lived my best life. Maybe I would give reasons like, “I was busy studying, or having a family, or well Whitney Houston was so much better than me at singing.” I want to hear God say “well done” because I have taken his given talent and worked it and polished it and multiplied it. I don’t know how much time I have to fulfil His plan for my life, so everyday I will show up as God intended for me. Living, listening, dreaming, fulfilling His unique plan for my life. A good plan. So, go on get on with it... life is short and must be lived. If God is for me who can be against me!”
A message from Strongest Story:
You won’t easily miss seeing Audrey in a room. She stands out with her beautiful warm eyes & broad smile that welcomes you into her space. I first met Audrey when the two of us shared the stage at a women’s conference. She was there to sing & I was there to speak. She was on before me and the second she began to sing I knew this was going to be a seriously hard act to follow!
Totally captivating - Audrey sings from her soul & her voice is as powerful as the message she brings with it. After the event we spoke & spoke. I was intrigued by Audrey’s creative genius on so many levels & instantly drawn to her huge, warm heart. Here was a woman I knew I wanted to stay connected to.
Audrey, your passion for God & others is totally inspiring! Strongest Story thanks you for helping women believe that breakthroughs can come in our darkest hours, that we all deserve to live our best life and we all have talents that must be used to grow our strongest story!