Social Media Manager at BackaBuddy, Bernelie Barwise (32), is a Cape Town-based performer, musician, and fire artist whose talents shine as brightly as the flames she wields. This Saturday, 6 December, she will be lighting up Franschhoek Square with an unforgettable fusion of music and fire artistry.
With an impressive performance portfolio, Bernelie has dazzled audiences across the globe, including in Abu Dhabi, the UK, Tanzania, Zanzibar, and throughout South Africa, with notable appearances in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban. Her captivating performances seamlessly blend live music and visual artistry, incorporating keyboard, guitar, looping beats, synths, and powerful vocals, all enhanced by breathtaking fire shows.
Pictured above: Bernelie Barwise at a fire show in Afrikanos in 2021
“I first started singing from a young age and did the Eisteddfod where I won categories in both singing classical contemporary music and poetry. From there I learned to play the piano by ear as I was too stubborn to learn theory,” says Bernelie
Recently, Bernelie delivered a fiery stage performance at the Ostrich Ranch, sharing the spotlight with renowned South African band MiCasa, and showcased her live electronic music in an exclusive rooftop show atop the Media24 building. Her artistry and unique style have been spotlighted by Texx and the City, particularly for her music that promotes themes of body positivity and self-love.
Pictured above: Bernelie with South African artist MiCasa at the Ostrich Ranch in Cape Town
Bernelie has released two albums, with plans to re-release them in early 2025. Her most recent album, Zenith, is currently available exclusively on Bandcamp, and her visually stunning music video, filmed in Abu Dhabi, exemplifies her creative vision.
Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/8hjXgEc0Q20?feature=shared
“I recorded my first album when I was 16 and then at 24, my first official album ‘Mystic’ was launched on all major digital platforms and one of the singles from the album ‘Little Mess’ got played on 5FM. I then went on to play at many well known venues in Cape Town like the Mojo Market, Grand West, Mercury, The Mining Indaba at the Arabella Sheraton Hotel and Hirsh’s Women in Business Awards in Century City. Shortly after, my guitarist and I had a video that went viral on Facebook and we got a contract to go play in Abu Dhabi for 5 months. After returning from the UAE, I released another album, ‘Zenith’ produced by Marius de Beer (32) during Covid. Covid definitely threw a spanner in the works as many projects got put on hold,” Bernelie tell us
This Saturday, 6 December, Bernelie will bring her extraordinary mix of music and fire artistry to Franschhoek Square, promising audiences an unforgettable fusion of sound and spectacle.
Pictured above: Bernelie performing at Media24 for the launch of new Nokia products
“Living and performing in different countries is an absolute privilege. It was also hard work and sometimes came with its challenges as I fell very sick in Zanzibar after getting Malaria,” Bernelie explains
Offstage, Bernelie serves as an ambassador for Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary, a safe haven for rescued big cats. She passionately supports their BackaBuddy campaign, which raises funds to provide food and veterinary care for these majestic animals. So far, the campaign has raised R2,000 of its R200,000 goal, with every contribution bringing them closer to ensuring the well-being of these incredible creatures.
Pictured above: Bernelie at Panthera Africa
“I support the amazing Big Cat Sanctuary, Panthera Africa, because I am a huge animal lover and very much into nature conservation. My motivation to support comes from my love for rescuing animals and my cat, Mitsu, was rescued after being found in a bin in Manenberg and very close to death. This sparked my interest in saving other animals in need and I have always been a big cat lover!” Bernelie says
Whether she’s performing with fire, creating music, or championing meaningful causes, Bernelie’s work embodies her dedication to creativity, connection, and making a difference.
Listen to her music on Apple Music: