WeeklySA_AdminCommunion:Mbuzeni Mkhize’s music is set to conscientise the living about their roots.
By Gugu Sibiya
For as long as nimble fingered, guitar strumming wizards like Mbuzeni Mkhize are around, all is good on the maskandi front. Fueled by catchy, unforgettable reefs, the music of our forefathers has a way of entangling hearts it comes across.
Incredibly talented, he’s always up to the task. The regal maskandi warrior hails from the south coast village called Embuthweni. The same beloved south coast as that of the late Ukhozi fm DJ Cyril Cansas City Mchunu. Mkhize like his idol, drinks from Umkhomazi river.
“Following on the steps of such a legend, I can’t afford to drop the ball. My mission is to ensure that maskandi is globaly known. Nations must ache for it in the way they crave food to satisfy their hunger” saying this must happen soonest as this is their time in the world.
His latest offering Ishoba Lenkonkoni where he features Shwi, the one part of a duo known as Shwi noMtekhala, is a cultural fare. The title refers to the tool he uses in his practice. A doctor would call it a stethoscope. Unpacking, he says “On the pretext of consulting with me, my gobela (trainer) stole my ishoba. His intention was to paralyse my gift so that I would fail as a sangoma (traditional healer) and worthy trainer to my thwasas (sangoma initiates).
“What gobela didn’t understand is that my gift comes from God and my ancestors. Whatever his tricks, he won’t destroy me” adding that he appreciates his calling and helping people. With Ishoba, I’m opening up wounds for all the starry-eyed sangomas who’ve been done in by their gobelas. I’m touching on what most of us go through at the hands of those who are supposed to guide us. The response shows that I’ve hit a nerve” he reveals.
Ukhozi fm’s Zim Dollar is featured on Umkhumbi ka Noah (Noah’s ark) where they wish the Biblical figure could have whisked them away from the devastation of the virus. Thokozani Langa makes a showing on Ukuthwalwa kwezintombi. Lamenting the cruel practise of men kidnapping girls against their will.
“Mkhize holds it down with iChwane leBhaca, Thokozani Langa and Weza who is Mthalane of Imithente fame’s son, kill it on La siyakhona (where we go). A song about always having a good time wherever they hang out, strumming their guitars.”
All the heavy weights he’s roped in he says, are there to create magic on Ishoba. “People need to experience the fireworks” enthuses the man whose praise poetry is as gripping as his strumming and his moves.
With nine albums under his belt, Mkhize says he still needs to add more. “Maskandi flows through my veins. I went solo in 2009 and ever since I’ve been on an upward spiral, representing KZN.
“Everytime I perform, I feel so happy. It takes me back home when life wasn’t complicated.” He says it evokes memories of sunshine on wide open spaces with fresh air and a river they swam in as kids.
“I’m talking happy gut splitting laughter along guitars and rhythmic dances that spur me on to give my best” he says caught up in nostalgia.
“I deliver happy music that tells relatable stories about love, sorrow or hardships of life. It’s your get up and dance or get up and do it for yourself kind of songs” says the singer who started out strumming a 12 , then 6 strings guitar, before becoming a wicked multi-instrumentalist at the age of 18.
A feat that has opened doors for him. Learning from his maskandi dad Mbizo, paved the way for him. “My dad worked with Phuzushukela. When he went to work in Johannesburg as a caretaker for a block of flats, he left the craft. He’s now headman for the chief. A father who taught me to be the brilliant guitarist I am today.
“Much later I landed at Phuzekhemisi ‘s door, a man I greatly admired and respect. I was filling for Nyoni Emhlophe. A gig I got thanks to playing many other instruments” he recalls.
Gratefully, “I carry giants on my shoulders. Passing on the legacy they’ve so generously shared with me, to the youngsters, is one of the greatest and most rewarding things to do. Maskandi needs to grow, evolve but maintain the integrity of its roots.”
“The world is mad about our sound and the agile way we dance. They may not understand us but they like what they hear. So let’s cash in. Creating jobs for ourselves will hasten the revival of our industry which is suffering no thanks to covid” he explains passionately.
His grasp of possibilities at his finger tips is amazing. True to his word, the globe- trotting Mkhize has been a great cultural ambassador for the genre. Performing in Russia, India, China and Turkey, he’s made an impression and audiences are still clamoring for him. Same as fans that are on tenterhooks about when his collaboration with Rihana is going down.
“I arraanged her Diamonds song into a maskandi hit called Khazimula. Sadly covid happened before any solid deal was struck” he says, hoping that his dream to work with his favorite artist in the world may still be realised.
“I’m grateful for the privilege of sharing who I am with my people and the world through maskandi. My ancestors have been with me throughout this journey. Wherever I’ve worked, I’ve left a piece of me. I’m looking forward to performing live for music lovers again” he says pulling at the strings for effect. I’m proud to be a Zulu man, I’m proud to be a Maskandi exponent but most importantly I’m proud to be a South African!
