Riana Nel

Riana Nel (9 November 1981) is a Namibian singer and songwriter. After growing up in Windhoek she moved to Pretoria, South Africa, to start her career.

Professional career Her songs have been described as including elements of "pop & country". She firmly placed her roots in gospel music with the release of the albums Oopmond, The Cure, Breathe and Someone with Skin and has won several awards including the Crescendo Award in 2000, a SAMA, Huisgenoot tempo's and Ghoema awards. The album Die Moeite Werd appealed more to the secular market and has reached platinum status and continues to top South African music charts. Nel has also starred in the Afrikaans movie, 'n Saak van Geloof alongside her co-star Robbie Wessels, the well acclaimed South African singer-songwriter and comedian.

As a songwriter, Nel has written songs for Juanita Du Plessis, Bobby Van Jaarsveld, Lianie May, Touch of Class, and Amira Willighagen. Nel has shared a stage with her sister Nianell, Bobby van Jaarsveld, Lianie May, Lira and more. She recorded duets with André Swiegers (Blou), Bobby van Jaarsveld (Die Liefde kom net eens in 'n Leeftyd), Die Heuwels Fantasties (Doen net wat ons wil), Retief Burger (U's my God) and Steve Hofmeyr (Skree).

She has performed in South Africa, Namibia, France, the Netherlands, the UK, Nashville in the U.S., Russia, Mozambique and Australia.

Nel was a coach on The Voice South Africa in 2019.

Personal life Nel's sister, Nianell, is also a singer–songwriter.

Discography Studio albums + List of albums, with selected chart positions Title Details Peak positions RefSA Oopmond Release date: 2001 Label: Maranatha Record Company Formats: CD, digital download — The Cure Release date: 2003 Label: Maranatha Record Company Formats: CD, digital download — Someone with Skin Release date: 2005 Label: Maranatha Record Company Formats: CD, digital download — Breathe – The Gospel Collection Release date: 2006 Label: Maranatha Record Company Formats: CD, digital download — Die Moeite Werd Release date: 2011 Label: Coleske Artists Formats: CD, digital download 14 Die Regte Tyd Release date: 2014 Label: Coleske Artists Formats: CD, digital download 1 Jy Sal Weet Release date: 2017 Label: Coleske Artists Formats: CD, digital download 2 Sterker Release date: 2019 Label: Coleske Artists Formats: CD, digital download 1 "—" denotes releases that did not chart.