Online Reporter
Langalakhe Mabena, [email protected]
CELEBRATED South African mbaqanga icons, the Soul Brothers, are marking 50 years since their first studio recording, the acclaimed hit Mshoza Wami, which propelled them to stardom — a composition whose message continues to resonate five decades later.
The only surviving member of the group, Moses Ngwenya — fondly known as the Black Moses — took fans down memory lane as he celebrated the song’s milestone, which coincides with their ongoing 50th Anniversary Tour.
“As our first hit, Mshoza Wami, turns 50 years old today, this takes us down memory lane where it all began. It all started in Johannesburg at Gallo in 1975 when three lads from KwaZulu-Natal, David Masondo, Zenzele Mchunu and Tuza Mthethwa, who called themselves Young Brothers, came into contact with American Zulu from Kinroos in Mpumalanga at Titus Masikani, where they backed Mthembu Queens of Hansford Mthembu.
“The young men continued with their journey in search of space to show their flair and talent. They landed at Isibaya Esikhulu of Hamilton Vala Nzimande, where they met me while I played for Izintombi Zesi Manje Manje,” he said.
According to Ngwenya, that fortuitous meeting sparked the chemistry that led to the formation of the Soul Brothers.
“Before this, none of us had made a recognisable mark in the music industry. After uniting, our first song Mshoza Wami, composed by Tuza Mthethwa, surprised us as it sold 60 000 units within a short space of time.
“It happened that while we were on a tour in Zimbabwe performing at Barbourfields Stadium with Izintombi Zesi Manje Manje, and other bands under Hamilton Nzimande, we received a call stating that Mshoza Wami had created an inferno back at home, and that was a breakthrough for us,” said Ngwenya.
He revealed that the unprecedented success of Mshoza Wami motivated the group to write more music. Just months later, they released Mama KaSibongile, a composition by Ngwenya himself. The track went on to sell more than 175 000 units and remains one of their signature hits.
Since then, the Soul Brothers have remained household names, dominating the industry with record-breaking albums that also influenced lifestyle and fashion trends among Bulawayo residents.
In honour of their late members, Ngwenya said that on October 25 last year, they released a tribute album titled Thath’Owakho. The album was produced using old, previously unreleased material.
He credited Artificial Intelligence (AI) for playing a significant role in producing the project, noting that despite being Africa’s oldest surviving mbaqanga group, the Soul Brothers are adapting impressively to modern technology.
The 10 track album features songs including Khetha, Ngizoke Ngibone, Ngimdala, Amasiko, Akasavumi, Into Yami, Kusemhlabeni La, Abantu Abanomona, Ibhova Lakhe and the title track Thath’Owakho.
“This album features older music from the archives that had not been released, which we reimagined and produced for a fresh audience. People will still hear the late David Masondo’s vocals because most of the songs were recorded during his lifetime.
“I revisited those old files, worked on the music and used a little bit of AI here and there to achieve a solid production, resulting in this 10-track album,” said Ngwenya.
He also revealed that the Soul Brothers are currently on a southern African tour that began last year to celebrate their golden jubilee in music. He said they are keen to partner with local promoters to bring the tour to Bulawayo and surrounding areas.
