Online ReporterBruce Ndlovu
WHEN Ndux Junior steps onto the stage at the Independence Gala on the night of April 18 in Maphisa, it will be more than just another performance.
Ever since he picked up the microphone to continue his father’s legacy, Ndux Junior, real name Wisdom Malaba, has been waiting for the chance to show the people of Matobo, his home district, what he is truly capable of.
He has performed at dozens of shows in and around Maphisa, the heartbeat of Kezi, where this year’s Independence Day celebrations will be held.
For 20 years, he has thrilled fans with his songs and stage presence, echoing the spirit of his legendary father, Ndux Malax, who passed away 30 years ago.
For many, Ndux Junior’s presence in the music world is nothing short of a miracle.
When he arrived on the scene a decade after his father’s death, the band was in disarray and the memory of the man who helped shape tshibilika music was fading.
After Ndux Malax passed away, the band went into what seemed like a permanent hiatus.
Some members — including Morgan “Moki” Ncube, Khumbula Mhlanga (late) and Sidney Dube (late) — went on to form Mokis Connection.
It was only in 2006, when Ndux Junior came of age, that the sleeping giant was awakened.
Together with his father’s bassist, Fredrick Ndlovu, he rebranded Ndux Malax’s band Tahangana to Batshele Brothers.
Two decades later, Ndux Junior believes the Malax brand is stronger than ever.
And when he takes the stage on April 18, he knows he must deliver more than just another routine performance.
As the son of the man behind songs such as “Unity” and “Bafundiseni”, he will not only be chasing applause, but also honouring a legacy rooted in identity, pride and community.
“It feels like a greater honour for my father as well,” he said.
“He worked hard and spent most of his career uplifting the people of Matobo and Zimbabwe at large.
“You can feel this in his music and even in his stage presence. He was a man of the people and having this gala come home, with his son performing, is a great honour overall.”
For Ndux Junior, the journey to this moment has been anything but smooth.
Years of perseverance, rebuilding and quiet resilience have gone into restoring a brand that once seemed destined to fade into history.
“It has not been easy to get here,” he said.
“We have been pushing this brand and this music for a long time. People have seen us struggle over the decades as we worked to reach this point.
“That is why having the gala hosted back home feels emotional — it is our chance to show the country what we have built over the years, right here in our own territory.”
This year’s Independence Gala, to be held in Matabeleland South for the first time, carries added significance for artistes from the region.
“Personally, I am delighted that the gala is coming home. The day itself (Independence Day) is very significant, and to top it off, we have a gala.
“For us artistes from Matobo, it feels like a homecoming. We are inviting the country into our living room and it is up to us to show that our house is well-kept.”
He is under no illusion about the magnitude of the occasion. Opportunities of this scale are rare and with the national spotlight firmly fixed on Maphisa, expectations will be high.
“We have to be at our best because we do not know when a show of this magnitude will next be hosted in Matabeleland South,” said Ndux Junior.
“Usually, events of this size are held in Bulawayo or Harare. As an artiste, you have to prepare yourself to showcase the best of your region and it all starts with your own performance.”
Despite the pressure, Ndux Junior remains grounded in what has carried him through two decades on stage: consistency, energy and a deep connection with his audience.
“I think people who have watched us grow on stage know what to expect. The excellence associated with our shows will be on full display. I can promise the usual excitement and the energy levels that come with our performances,” he said.
Rather than reinventing the wheel, he plans to lean into the music that has endeared him to fans over the years, using the gala as both a celebration and a reintroduction.
“I would not say I have been working on anything specific for the gala or other shows this year. We will perform the music people love — the songs they know by heart.
“It will be my chance to reintroduce myself to the national audience and I will seize it with both hands.”
