Online Reporter
Langalakhe Mabena
HOLD the front page, folks! Mothusi Bashimane Ndlovu, better known to his adoring public as “Madlela Sikhobokhobo”, isn’t just a household name in Bulawayo — he’s a one-man entertainment powerhouse! This dynamic performer, dripping with creativity, humour and raw passion, has absolutely captured the hearts of audiences with his unique cocktail of acting, side-splitting comedy and chart-topping music. But don’t think for a second his meteoric rise was some pre-planned stroll in the park; oh no, this is a rags-to-riches tale packed with more twists than a soap opera and a whole load of self-discovery!
Madlela first burst onto the scene with his electrifying street theatre and comical skits that had crowds roaring with laughter. At his core, he’s always been about the acting and comedy, the man himself admits that’s where he feels truly at home. In an exclusive tell-all with B-Metro, Madlela spilled the beans: becoming a musician was NEVER on his bingo card! “I never wanted to be a musician. I believe that my strength is in acting and comedy,” Madlela confessed.
So, what dragged this acting ace into the music biz? Pure frustration, ladies and gents! After crafting tunes for other artistes who, frankly, made a hash of his brilliant compositions, Madlela decided enough was enough and took matters into his own hands! “I got pissed off when someone I trusted with my artistry failed to deliver what I wanted,” he fumed. “This led to my desire to express myself through my own music.” And express himself he did! His insanely catchy hit, Ngamnanka uSaMamo, was his explosive entry onto the music scene, becoming an absolute monster hit that grabbed everyone’s attention! This daring dive from acting to singing proved to be a game-changer, pulling in legions of new fans, who soon fell head over heels for Madlela the musician! “I started recording more Tshibilika music because of the SaMamo song. I was getting booked from nowhere because of that song. Many people were convinced and ended up liking Madlela the musician,” beamed Sikhobokhobo.
And boy, has it paid off! This multi-talented gem is bursting with pride for taking the plunge into music. This new direction hasn’t just flung open doors to local and international stages, but it’s also bagged him LUCRATIVE endorsement deals — proving his brand is pure gold! “Music has become like a cash cow of some sort,” Madlela revealed, flashing a grin. “I have achieved a lot of things in life through this art, including the car I drive!” Cha-ching!
But wait, there’s more! Adding yet another feather to his already overflowing cap, Sikhobokhobo has unleashed a BRAND NEW CHARACTER: DJ Khehla! This smooth operator is now captivating radio listeners as a show host at a local station. This new persona allows him to juggle his performances while keeping his identities totally separate. “I have managed to separate these characters,” he explained. “Madlela Sikhobokhobo, who is an actor, is different from the one who is a musician. Recently, I introduced myself as DJ Khehla and that character is just for radio.”
He knows the score: “I know how to behave if I am broadcasting on the airwaves, and my followers on the station know that if they communicate with me, they are talking to DJ Khehla, who is totally different from Madlela Sikhobokhobo.”
What a legend! Is there anything this man can’t do?!
