Nduduzo Makhathini grew up in UmGungundlovu, South Africa, where music and rituals were inextricably linked. The region has historical significance as the former home of the Zulu king, Dingane. Music plays a key role in the culture of Zulu warriors, being a source of motivation and healing - the foundation of Makhathini's vision.
The church also influenced his musical explorations, and he was greatly inspired by South African jazz legends such as Bheki Mseleku, Moses Molelekwa and Abdullah Ibrahim. Thanks to Mseleku, he discovered the music of John Coltrane's quartet and the playing of McCoy Tyner, which helped him find his own voice as a pianist. His influences also include Andrew Hill, Randy Weston and Don Pullen.
Since 2014, he has released eight albums under his own label Gundu Entertainment, winning numerous awards. His first album for Universal Music South Africa, Ikhambi (2017), won a SAMA award. His debut album for Blue Note, Modes of Communication: Letters from the Underworlds, was released in 2020 to critical acclaim. He released In The Spirit of Ntu in 2022 and uNomkhubulwane in 2024. He will be making his second appearance at Jassmine.