Online Reporter
Langalakhe Mabena, [email protected]
LEGENDARY jazz and Marabi musician Jeys Marabini marked a major step in his career this April, stretching his musical reach beyond Zimbabwe’s borders through a well-planned media tour in South Africa. The move was not just about visibility, but about opening up his sound to a broader African audience and strengthening his presence on the continental stage.
The Ezinangeni hit-maker lined up a series of high-impact interviews across some of South Africa’s leading media platforms, including Khaya FM, Soweto TV, Channel Africa, Thobela FM and One Africa TV, among others. Each platform gave him a chance to tell his story, speak about his music and connect with listeners, who may have only heard of him from afar.
Behind the scenes, the ambitious tour was carefully put together by journalist and talent manager Sithokozile Sibanda, whose vision and drive brought the project to life. For her, the tour was more than just another assignment — it was a statement of purpose, a clear reflection of her commitment to pushing African creatives onto bigger stages.
“I’m proud to share a milestone that reflects everything I stand for — creating real opportunities for African artistes to be seen, heard, and respected beyond borders. Last month, I led and executed a two-week South African media tour for music legend Marabini. This was not by chance; it was a vision I brought to life. I identified South Africa as a powerful media hub and built a strategic platform to expand his continental and global presence,” she said.
Her approach was deliberate, using South Africa’s strong media networks to amplify Marabini’s voice and introduce him to new audiences in a meaningful way.
“From the South African Broadcasting Corporation to Kaya FM, Soweto TV, Thobela FM, Musina FM, Channel Africa, and more, we connected with diverse audiences and amplified his voice across major platforms. These weren’t just interviews; they were moments of storytelling, cultural exchange, and legacy building,” said Sibanda.
The experience has clearly left a lasting impression on her, strengthening her resolve to do more for local creatives. She believes that success in the arts does not come from waiting for chances, but from building them step by step.
“This journey reminded me that opportunities are not given, but they are created. As creatives, we must move beyond waiting; we must build, connect, and position ourselves and our artistes where it matters.
With the success of this tour, I remain committed to opening doors, shaping narratives, and pushing African creativity onto global stages. This is only the beginning.”
For Marabini, the tour was more than just a series of interviews — it was a personal and professional turning point. Moving beyond familiar spaces allowed him to reflect, learn and grow, while also forming new industry connections.
“This was a much-needed media tour. I had the privilege of meeting some of the greatest in the industry, including the legendary Nicky B of Khaya FM. The two weeks I spent in South Africa were incredibly fruitful; each day was purposeful, filled with lessons and growth.
“I believe that, from time to time, every artiste must step out of their comfort zone and reach wider audiences, as this contributes to their growth. I’d also like to thank Sithokozile Sibanda for walking this journey with me, one that I believe will have a lasting impact on my career,” said Marabini.
The tour, in many ways, signals a growing shift among Zimbabwean artistes — a quiet determination to look beyond borders and claim space on bigger stages. For Marabini, it marks not an end, but the beginning of a wider journey, one that could see his distinctive sound travel much further across the continent.
Bunjiwe Mkwananzi