Madlela’s emotional tribute to Mqabuko

Langalakhe Mabena

The 20th commemorations for the late former Vice-President Joshua Nkomo were held at the White City Stadium on Monday and artistes remembered the liberation icon through music.

One of the artistes, Madlela Skhobokhobo poured his heart out by paying tribute to Mqabuko through a song Kufa Awunamahloni, a song he said has not yet been recorded.

“I actually had dedicated the song to my late friend Mazinyane in 2015 who was my partner in music production. However, I decided to give the song a twist and do a version that talks of Mqabuko’s death,” said Madlela.

In the song Madlela questions death on why it took Nkomo, leaving the Zimbabwean nation fatherless, a concept which connected with the audience during his performance as almost everyone in attendance became emotionally attached to the lyrics.

“When I was performing I discovered that the song touched a lot of people as they connected with my lyrics on the rhetoric song. Some even cried which is a rare thing to notice in the audience when I am performing.

“This moved me to make it a point that I record the song because the late Father Zimbabwe was a great icon who must be celebrated because we are free today because of his patriotic works and that of other gallant sons of the soil,” said the emotional Madlela.

The Ngamnanka UsaMamo hit-maker revealed that the song would be recorded later this year as his tight performance schedules did not allow him studio time for now.  Meanwhile, other artistes who entertained the crowds during the gala included Sandra Ndebele, Clement Magwaza, Novuyo Seagirl, Bolamba Arts, Mzoe 7, Scara and Khaya Arts, among other groups.