The World Show with Nicky B Featuring live in-studio performances and interviews with Rory Sung Szechele and Pilani Bubu.
By Zuko Komisa

The air in The World Show with Nicky B studio turned electric as host Nicky B welcomed two of South Africa’s most visionary vocalists Rory Sung Szechele and Pilani Bubu for an unplugged live set.
The session served as a prelude to ACCES (Music In Africa Conference for Africa), running from 28 to 31 October at The Campus in Bryanston, alongside citywide showcases at venues like The Untitled Basement and The Forge.
Rory Sung Szechele was the first to step up to the microphone.
Backed by her classical and jazz background, her voice floated through the room with ethereal grace. Her performance unfolded as a gentle sanctuary, weaving serene melodies that urged listeners to release anxiety, embrace self-care, and find stillness amidst daily pressures.
Following her live set, the broadcast featured her single “Mama”, a tender tribute honoring maternal protection and the courage needed to face adult life.
The studio’s emotional landscape then deepened as multi-disciplinary storyteller Pilani Bubu took center stage.
Moving seamlessly from soft spoken word into rich vocal resonance, Bubu grounded the room in cultural heritage. Before launching into her song “Abandona”, she explained the intergenerational reverence driving her performance:
“It’s really about how children should spend more time with their elders, that we should take the time to teach them so that they can learn, that they can walk in our footsteps… and arm themselves with all that we passed down to them.”
Bubu followed with “Tafel”, a haunting piece tracing her grandfather’s legacy and her ancestral roots, before building up to a vibrant finale.
Listen to the podcast for the full conversation. Kaya 959 podcasts are available to download.