Matojeni melomaniacs out to preserve traditional song, dance

Mbulelo Mpofu, Showbiz Reporter
IsiNdebele and TjiKalanga cultures are poised to receive a tremendous amount of attention as Austria-based artiste, Blessings Nqo Nkomo, has assembled a sextet of seasoned artistes to promote and preserve them.

IsiNdebele and TjiKalanga cultures are home to some of the finest dance routines which include Amabhiza, Ingquzu, Umtshongoyo, Amantshomani, Isigujana, and Isitshikitsha.

Nkomo has led the establishment of Matojeni Melo-maniacs (MMM), a group that consists of Nomathamsanqa T “Nkwali” Mkhwananzi, Thandeka Patricia “Thandy Dhlana” Jele, Nolizwe Ngwenya, Blessings Nqo Nkomo, Mthabisi Moyo and Bekithemba “Beckx Marabha” Phiri.

MMM is set to release a five-track EP titled Rhythms of the Matebele on Friday on all digital platforms. The EP consists of songs Pembela, Africa, Emeli lo-Dlala Regina, Inkomo Zamalobolo, and an extended version of Emeli Lo.

The EP was produced by Mthabisi Moyo and mastered by Andreas Luger. It will be released by Nqo’s Music Production.
Matojeni is a movement of cultural and heritage proportions and its leader, Nkomo, said the group is aimed at empowering women and also reviving traditional music and dance.

“The purpose of this project is to promote and preserve our culture. It also seeks to give a platform to women to have access to opportunities, resources and their rights to have the power to control their own lives.

“Our goal for performing traditional music is to bring people together through music. By singing and performing our traditional music, we have laid a strong foundation that none will take away. The foundation will give us the power to control our lives,” Nkomo said.

Nkomo is well-known for being a part of Insingizi ensemble, which has toured Austria, Slovenia, Denmark, and other European countries with Dumisani “Ramadu” Moyo and Vusa Mkhaya. Thandy Dhlana is an Afro-Jazz specialist while the Nyawolwami hit-maker Nkwali, on the other hand, is a multi-award winner.

MMM is prepared for the challenge at hand with Beckx Marabha performing the percussion with Bekezela “Sjure” Siziba, and guitarist Mthabisi Moyo rounding out the instrumentalists’ line-up. -@MbuleloMpofu