Mkhululi Ncube, [email protected]
RHUMBA musician Fiselani “SaMaNgwe” Ngwenya may be modest about his contribution to the genre, but his legacy is taking shape in the success of the musicians he has mentored.
As the frontman of Mlambos Express Band, SaMaNgwe has gone beyond entertaining audiences to nurturing talent, giving young performers the skills, experience and confidence to launch careers of their own. Through Mlambos Stars, the band’s grooming platform, he has helped turn aspiring dancers and instrumentalists into singers and composers, proving that building a legacy can mean creating stars beyond your own stage.
Known for his lanky frame and nimble feet, SaMaNgwe has earned a reputation as a teacher of sorts in the rhumba fraternity, using Mlambos Stars, the grooming arm of his band, to prepare young musicians for careers of their own.
While Mandlenkosi Godolude Mpofu has become a household name, some may not know that he first honed his vocal skills under SaMangwe’s tutelage at Mlambos Stars.
Njengelizwe “DJ20” Ngwenya, who produced the hit song Imthwalo in 2023, is another musician who sharpened his skills under the same platform. Amkela “Amzozo” Ncube also graduated from the group’s informal music academy.
Although SaMaNgwe initially brought some of the young musicians on board as dancers or instrumentalists, he went a step further by helping them compose and sing songs, recording their work and giving them the confidence to pursue independent careers.
Amzozo has credited his mentor with laying the foundation for his musical journey.
“I am what I am now due to his contribution in my life. I joined Mlambos Express Band as a dancer, and Mlambos Stars was already there with two albums. He gave me a chance to add a song on
Volume Three and composed the song Selina,” he said.
After Godolude and DJ20 left, Amzozo was given an even bigger opportunity, contributing four songs to Volume Three.
He said he had grown particularly close to his mentor during his time with the band, making his eventual departure difficult despite receiving SaMangwe’s blessing.
“We did a number of shows and would spend weeks on the road. SaMaNgwe initiated me into music. When he trained us, he always said umuntu kumele afunde ukuzenzela (a person must learn to stand on their own), and we are what we are today because of that good spirit of his,” he said.
Such an approach is not always common in the music industry, where some established musicians may be reluctant to let their protégés leave and compete independently. SaMangwe, however, believes in preparing his charges for life beyond the band.
“Mlambos Stars is the grooming side of Mlambos Express Band. I groom future stars so that they can go and start their own lives if they so wish. Dancing is like a soccer career; you cannot play throughout your life. I am a dancer myself, but with age, the energy wanes. Hence, the importance of grooming the boys to master composing and singing,” he said.
“Composing, on the other hand, grows with age; you become better. I have always wanted my boys to be able to back me during live shows, but I went a step further and asked them to compose to test them.”
Mlambos Stars has produced four albums featuring vocal contributions from the late Super, Godolude, DJ20, Brighton “Mfana kaNyoni” Nyoni, Mude and Amzozo.
The group’s mentoring tradition continues, with its current crop of musicians preparing to showcase their talent alongside their mentor at upcoming album launches.
Mlambos Stars is set to launch EZiqedwamazwane, Volume Five, while Mlambos Express Band will unveil its 21st album next month.
The band’s latest project is titled Qina Ndoda – Soldier On. Current members Sizwa Thonsi Moyo, Thembani Spikiri Ncube and Obey Machaka Lunga are expected to showcase their vocal abilities on the new release.
Beyond its extensive album catalogue, Mlambos Express Band also boasts two DVDs, further documenting its contribution to the rhumba music scene. – @themkhust.
