Online Reporter
On the spotlight this week is Sir Mindlocy, born Mandlenkosi Sibanda in Bulawayo’s Nkulumane 12 suburb.
A product of the Chronicles of House Nation movement — a house music movement, he broke into Bulawayo’s club scene with his first gig at Walkers Pub and has since performed at popular venues across the city, sharing stages with notable DJs such as Emity Smooth, Morris Touch, Ryan Synth, Kotwane Hikwa, Zulu Da House Maniac, Slim T and Otis Fraser.
Known for his versatility, he comfortably blends different genres, although RnB and hip-hop remain his favourites. Ahead of the second edition of Classic Sundays at Maboneng, Sir Mindlocy opened up about his journey, challenges and enduring love for music.
Q. How did you venture into the music scene?
A. I grew up in a music-loving household where genres such as hip-hop, house, RnB, reggae and kwaito shaped my passion for entertainment. Inspired by my brother, who had moved to South Africa, I began building my own music collection in 2003, often dubbing over my parents’ cassette tapes in the process. My journey into deejaying began after a childhood friend introduced me to the Virtual DJ software. I taught myself the art of blending songs. What started as playing at wedding parties soon evolved into a serious career after I joined the influential Chronicles of House Nation movement in 2014 under the mentorship of DJs Deeper Mr Stripes and DJ Skieez, who introduced me to professional CDJs and turntables.
Q. How did your brother’s influence shape your music career?
A. My brother had a huge influence on my career. Growing up, he always played a lot of music around the house and introduced me to different genres like hip-hop, R&B, house and kwaito. His passion for music encouraged me to explore different sounds and build a collection that reflects both his influence and my own personality.
Q. When was your first experience with DJing?
A. It was back in 2012 when I got the chance to play at a Christmas party. I was nervous at first, but seeing people react to the music and enjoy the vibe made me fall in love with DJing.
Q. What’s the most memorable gig you’ve played in Bulawayo?
A. It was back in 2016 at Emakhandeni Cricket Club during a 52nd Week Deep House Night event with my fellow brothers from The Chronicles of House Nation. I was nervous at first, but the crowd was fully engaged from start to finish, and the atmosphere was electric.
Q. You have shared stages with some big names. What has been the highlight of those collaborations?
A. Sharing the stage with big names pushed me to be a better DJ and improve my craft. It also showed me the importance of professionalism, connecting with the crowd and consistency.
Q. What were some early challenges you faced as a DJ, and how did you overcome them?
A. Finding opportunities to play was a challenge, as well as performing for free. Another key challenge was building confidence in front of crowds and learning how to read different audiences.
Q. What’s your favourite part about playing RnB and Hip-Hop?
A. Storytelling and the power of nostalgia. Mixing 90s and 2000s throwbacks with modern tracks creates an instant connection with the crowd. RnB brings a soulful, timeless element that connects deeply with the audience, while hip-hop delivers raw energy and rhythm that gets people moving. When it comes to incorporating them, I make sure that I blend them and do seamless transitioning.
Q. How do you balance playing different genres, and what’s your favourite to play?
A. Balancing different genres is a high-level skill that depends more on selecting the right track in the right order. I focus on blending sounds smoothly without losing the energy on the dancefloor. When it comes to my favourite playlist, it’s quite difficult because I have three main ones — deep house, RnB and hip-hop — but if I had to choose one, it would definitely be hip-hop.
Q. What’s next for Sir Mindlocy? Any exciting projects or collaborations?
A. In terms of music production, I’m not working on any projects or collaborations currently. However, I will be dropping mix tapes through my podcast, The Music Journal. You can check them out online at HearThis.at, where they are available for streaming and download.
Q. Who are some DJs or artists you’d love to work with?
A. I would love to work with Ryan The DJ from South Africa. Collaborating with DJs like him allows you to learn a lot, not just about playing music, but about the true art of DJing.
Q. Do you think the music scene in Bulawayo has evolved?
A. I’ve seen the music scene in Bulawayo evolve from a smaller, more underground culture into something vibrant and widely respected. People are now more open to different genres, with house music in particular becoming very popular, thanks to events like House in CBD and Garden of House. There is now more diversity in sound, more young talent emerging, and DJs are becoming increasingly creative in how they connect with audiences. My role is to keep pushing the culture forward through my sound, consistency, and by inspiring the next generation of DJs coming through.
