Former ‘Gomora’ actress Bukiwe Keva opens up about her new path in music

Actress Bukiwe Keva is making waves in the entertainment world as she transitions from television to a music career.

Bukiwe became known to many for her role as Asanda in Mzansi Magic’s TV drama Gomora, where she appeared in both season 1 and 2. In recent years, she has also started exploring music, releasing tracks like Shukela and IYOJO that show a different side of her creativity.

In this exclusive interview with Africa Jamz FM News, Bukiwe shares what it’s been like moving from acting to music, what inspires her work, and how she sees her growth as an artist.

Reflection on the character ‘Asanda‘

Bukiwe’s role as Asanda resonated deeply with viewers. She opens up about the elements of the character that still stay with her and how they have helped shape her growth as a storyteller.

“Asanda will always live in me not just because I played her, but because she taught me the beauty and complexity of silence, strength, and survival. She reminded me of my school years, I saved bullies at school and Asanda was a bully so I got to see how those kids felt. It taught me how women are layered, how much we carry while still showing up every day. That role deepened my empathy as a storyteller. It made me braver not just in performance, but in how I listen, observe, and honour children who are bullied, whether on screen or in a song. Hence the idea to start the anti- bullying campaign around the country,” said Bukiwe.

Stepping into the music world

Now stepping into the music scene, Bukiwe opens up about her songs Shukela and IYOJO, and the fears and inner struggles she had to conquer in order to fully embrace and trust her voice in this new creative territory.

“Music exposed a different kind of vulnerability. Acting gives you a script a character to hide behind. But music? That’s just you, raw and real. I had to quiet that inner voice that asked, “Do you belong here?” I had to remind myself that art has no borders. Shukela was my first whisper, IYOJO was a scream and both came from a place of reclaiming the parts of myself I had once kept quiet,”said Bukiwe.

From delivering scripted lines to now penning lyrics

Continuing to discuss her new journey in music, Bukiwe delves into how creating music feels more vulnerable for her compared to acting.

“Acting is stepping into someone else’s skin. Music is peeling off your own. With acting, I serve a story. With music, I am the story and that’s terrifying and liberating at the same time. Every lyric feels like a page from my diary, and once it’s out there, it’s no longer mine alone. That’s the risk, but it’s also the reward,” said Bukiwe.

Collaborations with musical artists

Bukiwe has worked alongside artists like Fellani. She shares how she connects with others’ creative energy, what attracts her to a collaborator, and how she maintains and protects her own artistic voice throughout the process.

“I’m drawn to honesty in the music, in the energy, in the vision. If someone is authentic in their craft, I can feel it instantly. With Fellani, it was effortless synergy. But I have also learned that collaboration doesn’t mean dilution. I enter every room with my voice intact, and I make sure it echoes in the final product. Collaboration should elevate, not erase,” said Bukiwe.

What success feels like to Bukiwe

At this stage of her journey, Bukiwe reflects on what success truly means to her—not the public perception, but her own quiet, personal definition of it when no one else is looking.

“Success, to me, is peace. It’s waking up knowing I’m creating from a place of truth. It’s saying no without guilt and yes without fear. It’s watching my younger self in the rearview mirror and knowing she would be proud. Dropping off and picking up my son. The spotlight comes and goes but peace, purpose, and alignment? That’s the version of success I’m building, slowly and loudly in my own way,” said Bukiwe.

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