Zibuyile Brightness Shabane, whose stage name is Buyie Gold is a musician, songwriter, performer and actress. The kindhearted and reserved artist likes to do different things. If she is not doing music, she is probably cooking or doing voluntary work. “I want to accumulate as many skills as I possibly can”, she told Jazz It Out.

Growing up in Nyandezulu, Port Shepstone, on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, she heard her mom’s beautiful singing voice and stories she narrated of choirs where she sang. Her uncle and father would collect vinyl records of different genres, including RnB and Soul which she enjoyed listening to.

Buyie Gold. Picture by Thabiso Dlamini

Despite being a shy and quiet learner, one day she gave an impressive performance in a ‘show and tell’ competition at primary school. “I have always had the voice, but lacked the courage to show it”, she recalls. Buyie Gold joined the school choir from the 2nd grade until she went to high school. “I would look forward to rehearsals more than academic learning. I felt comfortable and at peace doing something art related”, she added.

Rebecca Malope and Brenda Fassie were some of her favourite musicians when she was at high school. It was at Grade 9 when her Arts and Culture teacher discovered that she can sing very well. “She asked me to lead my fellow learners at school assembly, and the rest is history”, she said. Her high school principal liked a song by Rebecca Malope titled “uThando Lwami” and would ask her to sing it as a solo in front of the whole school.

Her first formal training in music began at Esayidi TVET College, Gamalakhe Main Campus, under the tutelage of virtuoso pianist Andile Yenana, where she learnt Practical Voice and Jazz Improvisation. Her next move was to an active performing at movement called Emuhle All Artists that caters for both primary and secondary art, also located in Gamalakhe, Port Shepstone.

Playing her favourite instrument. Picture by Shakie_Shots

It was at Emuhle where she first learnt how to play the guitar. “I needed to practice every day”, she added. The Director at Emuhle, Bongani Baai, borrowed her his spare guitar, which she was grateful for. She got to perform in places like The Playhouse, travelled to different provinces, gaining several skills such as how to make multiple streams of income. The training further included acting, making her a versatile artist.

Buyie Gold’s next move was to University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), at Howard College in Durban, where she enrolled for a Bachelor of Arts in Music. It was quite fulfilling knowing that she was studying towards something she truly loved. “My friends were Amanda Mbatha, Thembalethu Bhengu, Blessing Mkila, Sandile Dube and Makgashule Thothela”, she said. The ambitious student was quick to realize that her lecturers were amazing musicians who have walked the journey, and doing well as artists.

“They didn’t just teach us about what was in the syllabus, they also equipped us with other skills we would need when we turn professional”, showing appreciation. The students also learnt the importance of discipline, building relationships since they would be working with different people. It was at Howard College where she became a better guitarist thanks to recently retired lecturer and guitarist Demi Fernandez. “For a long time, I didn’t consider myself a guitarist. I struggled to play in front of people. Now I am able to do a whole set playing with a band”, she confessed.

Growing Buyie Gold as a brand. Picture by Shakie_Shots

The years Buyie Gold spent at the Durban based tertiary institution made her realize that music students love and support one another. She chuckles recalling how they would be asked why are they studying music when they have talent to sing. “We were like a family. We ate together, played music together and studied together”, she said. The pride of Nyandezulu passed her degree at the end of 2025 and will be graduating in 2026.

Studying at UKZN taught her a lot about Jazz as a genre. At first, she found it hard and felt she needed time, practice and dedication. “The techniques I learnt play a huge role in my career right now. The chords, how to transcribe music, that is amazing”, she said. Her songwriting skills have led to the release of a song with Sfundo Ndimande titled “Sthandwa Sami” featuring Zaba, Sykes, Bongo and Dlala Thukzin. As an actress, she has performed at The Playhouse, Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, Wushwini, K-Cap and Court Yard in DUT.

Some of the things she will miss about her stay at Howard College are guitar classes with Demi Fernandez, her friends, the Wednesday concerts at UKZN Centre for Jazz and Popular Music, and the gym. When she is not singing, she likes to do sewing – including alterations of clothes, and swimming. Her future plans include growing Buyie Gold as a big brand, living off music and working towards her other skills. “My favourite musicians are Judith Sephuma, Sibongile Khumalo, Gloria Bosman and Tutu Puoane”, she concluded. Her Facebook Page is Buyie Gold Music. Follow her on X @buyie_music, @buyie_gold on Instagram and @buyiegold on Tik Tok.