Londile Moyo
Mbulelo Mpofu [email protected]
ON Saturday, Zimbabwe will be celebrating its 46th Independence Day, with the spirit of liberation finding a harmonious voice in Pelandaba West.
On April 15, a Bulawayo-based acapella ensemble, “Udonsi Lwabapostoli”, officially releases their latest single, “Magamba Edu”, a tribute to the heroes and heroines of the liberation struggle on YouTube.
Led by founder and lead singer Nqobani T Siwela, the group is known for its unique sonic fingerprint: a soulful blend of traditional apostolic melodies “dashed” with the rhythmic, powerful influence of “imbube”.
For Udonsi Lwabapostoli, Independence Day is not merely a date on the calendar; it is a profound moment of reflection.
Speaking on the inspiration behind the track, Siwela noted that the group wanted to capture the weight of the journey toward freedom.
“To us, it is a very emotional day as we reflect on what was happening at that time – the loss of lives, the spill of blood, the wounds, and the trauma to the survivors,” Siwela shared.
“To us, it means do not ever forget a sacrifice that was made for you to live a better life.”
The song “Magamba Edu” (Our Heroes) serves as a linguistic bridge, featuring a mix of ChiShona and IsiNdebele to unite the nation in gratitude.
The lyrics explicitly honour both the fallen and the living:”Ithi, ‘Siyawazi amaqhawe namaqhawekazi alwela inkululeko yelizwe lethu ashonayo, nasaphila siyawazi njalo siyawabonga. Takawana sununguko neropa remagamba,” he added.
Formed in August 2020, Udonsi Lwabapostoli has quickly become a staple in the local music scene. The group boasts a balanced eight-member line-up, consisting of four male and four female voices that provide a rich, orchestral depth to their acapella arrangements.
The group is led by founder and lead singer Nqobani T Siwela, supported by a vocal ensemble featuring Makhosi Zondo on bass, tenors Methembe Dube and Mengezi Msimanga, and altos Buhlebenkosi Ncube and Sengezo Ndlovu. The harmonic lineup is completed by sopranos Lindokuhle Ndlovu and Brenda Moyo.
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derick.khumalo