admin
Arts Correspondent
For South African veteran musician Freddie Gwala, who is in Zimbabwe to nurture and mentor Beverley Sibanda, it is not his first time to work with Zimbabwean artistes. Gwala, who describes Zimbabwe as his second home, is in the country for a month-long working visit that will see him perform in nine gigs.
The “Amadhamara” hitmaker also produced the late Paul Matavire’s hit album “Zimbe Remoto” in the 1990s. He worked with established South African artistes such Sipho Makhabane and the late Branda Fassie.
He is best remembered for penning Fassie’s hit song “My Babe”.
“I want to teach her (Beverley) one or two things because she has what it takes to be at the summit. Her voice is something else whilst she is also a good dancer,” said the gapped-tooth Freddy.
Freddie, who calls his music Zumba (jail songs), said his lifelong dream is to collaborate with the legendary Oliver Mtukudzi and the Soul Brothers.
He rates Mtukudzi and Soul Brothers as the best musical outfits in Southern Africa.
Commenting on Zimbabwe’s music sector, the veteran musician said the industry has enjoyed phenomenal growth in recent years.
“South Africa will always lead when it comes to music, but Zimbabwe is closing the gap. Gone are the days when people would brush off Zimbabwean music under the carpet. The beat, the sound and the message have also evolved,” he said.
Turning to the group Platform One which he worked with for several years, Freddie said the ladies were now old, adding that he was now working on injecting new blood into the group.
“This is the first time I am saying this. I am going to retire all the ladies because they have aged. I will assist them in producing a gospel album and rechristen them ‘Gospel Mamas,’” he said.
The members of the group will be replaced by beautiful young ladies.
“When one grows those energetic dances disappear, but young people still have the energy, that is why I am on a recruiting exercise,” he said.
The musician is working on a new album to be released next February. Born in 1961 in Soweto, South Africa, Freddie started off his music career by forming a group called Pure Gold in 1973 with his brothers.
He also played a major role in the formation of Platform One.
Freddie still produces and composes songs for these groups. He has left his mark all over the country, contributing to albums for artistes such as Blondie Makhene, Vusi Shange and Fassie.
He has created his own ‘’Zumba genre’’, soul music fused with disco. Inspiration for his lyrics comes from the time he spent in jail.
“I’m singing for the inmates and the youth out there,” he says.
Through his music, he hopes to motivate them to keep away from crime and learn from his mistake.
Freddie spent eight years in jail for car theft (or repossessing as he calls it), before turning his misfortune into a fortune by singing about his experiences in jail.
Online Reporter