adminPeter Matika, Senior Life Reporter
A South Africa-based Maskandi artiste from Godlwayo has released a 13-track album, which he says is his way of paying homage to the late Ndebele king — King Mzilikazi.
Thabani “Dibi” Sibanda, while promoting his 13-track musical CD — Umahlalegangeni — in Bulawayo, said he hopes the project will tell the original Ndebele story and the origins of the people of Godlwayo.
“Abafana BakaGodlwayo Ezika Dibi is a traditional musical group that sings Maskandi music, a genre common to the Nguni tribes,” he told Sunday Life in an interview.
Dibi, as he prefers to be referred to said he also had a 10-member group, which he featured in the album.
“I founded the group. I come from Filabusi koGodlwayo under Chief Vezi Maduna Mafu. I named the group in honour of the great King Mzilikazi’s battalion uGodlwayo under the leadership of the late Chief Dambisamahubo Kamkhatshana Mafu. The group was formed in South Africa and is based in that country. It consists of 10 dancers and I am the lead vocalist and poet,” said Dibi.
He said this was his second album, with his first album Mbulali Unesono being produced and released in 2015.
“The first album featured and was produced by South African award winning African musician Uboneni Magubane,” he said, stating that the album touched on many topical social issues.
The group sings in isiNdebele and their music appeals to the masses.
“The music appeals to a broad audience. The songs talk about real community issues people can relate to like fallen political and traditional leaders. For instance there is a song we did in memory of the late Dr Joshua Nkomo. Other songs talk about the love for Christ and culture,” he said.
Ezika Dibi has performed at a number of events, such as the annual Dr Nkomo celebrations held in South Africa and has shared the stage with a number of prominent names such as Zinja Ziyamluma, Mlambos Express Band and Khaya Arts.
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