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Langalakhe Mabena
Afro soul sensation Bothwell “Bekezela” Nkomo seems to be having a spot-on multi-award winning South African songstress Candy “Tsa MaNdebele” judging from the two’s musical relations.
When Candy scooped the Best Traditional Album at the South African Music Awards last year, Bekezela played a key role in the composition of the song Hupenyu Unenge Vhiri, a piece which won the title of Candy’s album.
As if that was not enough, on her latest album Still Here released early this year Candy opted to work with Bekezela again where the Bulawayo-born jazzman featured on two songs titled Still Here and Yebin.
“Candy is the first South African artiste who made me walk on the stage of the Samas courtesy of our collaboration on Hupenyu Unenge Vhiri which scooped an accolade that night. Since then we have managed to work on numerous projects together which are doing well.
“On the recent album we worked on two pieces together, on the song Still Here she wanted the Ndebele feel and I was the first choice on her mind. I wrote and co-produced the song then on Yebin I played the guitar rhythm of the song,” said Bekezela.
Bekezela gave credit to Zimbabwean songwriter Kudzai Hove as Still Here was her idea.
Working together for the past years has developed their friendship to a family level.
“I have a beautiful relationship with Candy, apart from music she is always there for me every time I need her. We have become more of siblings as she is a good spirit to share life with in both good and bad times,” said Bekezela.
Meanwhile, on his latest independent offering Phumelela, Bekezela worked closely with Candy and numerous creatives from all over Africa to preach the gospel of hope giving people courage in overcoming the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Music is a universal language and on the Phumelela project I worked with artistes from different countries including Candy so as to give a positive energy to the people that together we can fight the dreadful pandemic,” said Bekezela.
Online Reporter