WeeklySA_AdminHOUSEHOLD: After the breakup of one of Cape Town’s most beloved gospel duos, Sihlanu Tshaka refused to let the music die. Now, years later, the singer is celebrating a successful solo career and the launch of his latest EP, Dear Qamata…
By Siyabonga Kamnqa
Nothing is heartbreaking as a breakup of a music group. It not only affects the band members, but fans who find it difficult to come to terms with it.
Such was the sad feeling when popular Cape Town gospel duo ‘Jongie and Sihlanu’ went their separate ways back in the early 2000s.
After fellow band member, Jongie, decided to leave the duo, Sihlanu decided to soldier on alone. And, fast forward years later, it seems the decision was a wise one.
That’s because Sihlanu Tshaka continues to be a household name in the gospel music scene and his spiritually-uplifting songs have won him the hearts of thousands of fans countrywide. The talented musician opened up to Weekly SA Mirror this week ahead of the launch of his EP entitled Dear Qamata on May 30. “God has been wonderful, my brother. The journey has not been an easy one but I’m grateful to be where I am today. It is all thanks to my fans who have been supporting my music and never left me, from the days of ‘Jongie and Sihlanu’.
Ever since I released this EP, fans have shown me some great love. That’s why I decided to officially launch it in Nyanga in Cape Town, as a way of rewarding them for their loyalty,” he says. Hailing from Butterworth in the Eastern Cape, Sihlanu says he grew up nursing a childhood wound of not having known his mother, whom he says left him while he was still crawling.
“I was born into a loving home with my father, Foloti Tshaka, and my mother, Nokwakha, whom I never knew. I’m told she left me when I was still learning to walk. It is a deep wound that won’t heal because growing up without a mother wasn’t easy,” he says.
It was while at primary school level that young Sithathu started singing during assemblies and began entering singing competitions. “The school trusted me as their singer and they never left me behind. Those days we won several competitions. Growing up I used to even sing at village competitions, “ he recalls.
In 2002 Sithathu travelled to Cape Town in pursuit of a music career. He joined local music groups and became a lead vocalist. In 2003 he met Jongie Magaba and they formed the popular gospel group, ‘Jongie and Sihlanu’. Recalls Sihlanu: “In 2004 we recorded our first album titled Sikelela Jesu. People started to recognize and support us. We ended up recording six albums together, all of which gained national recognition. In 2019 Jongie stepped down because of work commitments, so I decided to continue solo.”
In 2023 Sihlanu’ recorded his solo album with a company called Lelo Shine Star. Despite his reservations, he says he was taken aback by the positive response from his fans.
Sihlanu’ is over the moon by the fact that his offering, Dear Qamata, released in April this year, has been riding the crest of a wave. It is available in all digital platforms and Sihlanu is planning a tour in both the Western Cape and Eastern Cape in the near future.
