Legendary jazz singer Letta Mbulu opens up on life, love, and music on The World Show with Nicky B.
Bulelwa Hoala
The first installment of The Unforgettables on The World Show with Nicky B took place at Kaya House on Sunday, 31 August 2025, featuring the legendary Letta Mbulu.
Host Nicky Blumenfeld, aka Nicky B, kicked off the evening with a specially curated mix, setting the mood ahead of what would become a truly unforgettable conversation.
The exclusive live audience, a perfect blend of young and old, trickled in to enjoy drinks and refreshments as the night began.
While the programme was meant to be a journey down memory lane, The Unforgettables became far more than that.
From the moment she spoke, Mam’ Letta Mbulu transported everyone present and on-air to a magical space, allowing the audience to experience the moments of her life and career as if they were living them alongside her.
It quickly became clear that an hour would never be enough to encapsulate her extraordinary career.
She began performing at the age of 13 in African jazz and variety shows, where she met some of the biggest stars of the time.
“People like Miriam Makeba, Dolly Ratebe, Thandi Klaasen, Dorothy Masuka, and male groups like The Woodpeckers enriched me at that age. They were all fantastic, but Dorothy Masuka really knocked me out. She still does, even today,” Mbulu shared.
These early influences laid the foundation for Mbulu’s path.
She performed in King Kong at 16, spent a year in London, and later returned to South Africa. At 20, she convinced fellow musician and the love of her life, Caiphus Semenya, to introduce her to Miriam Makeba, which led to her first trip to the United States in 1964.
There, she was warmly welcomed at the airport by Caiphus, Miriam Makeba, and Hugh Masekela, a moment she described as “truly exciting,” though not without its challenges, including the bitter cold of New York.
Throughout the evening, Mam’ Letta shared fascinating stories about her musical journey, her first experiences in the U.S., and her enduring love story with Bab’ Caiphus Semenya, her husband of 54 years.
They also touched on her recent music from the album Nomali, with Nicky sharing some of her favourite picks.
To close the session, the floor was opened to the audience for insights and questions.
Not a single guest left empty-handed, and Mam’ Letta left a permanent mark at Kaya House, which will forever be etched in the hearts of all who were present.
The next installment of The Unforgettables on The World Show will be announced soon.
Listen to the full conversation of the podcast:
Watch the full conversation below:
Stay tuned to The World Show with Nicky B every Sunday from 6 PM to 10 PM and you could secure a spot for you and a partner to be part of the exclusive live audience.
