Online Reporter
Mthokozisi Ncube, [email protected]
A young artiste from Matabeleland South is beginning to make his mark on Zimbabwe’s music scene, thanks to a powerful collaboration that is steadily gaining attention. Utsheketsha Ogezayo, a rising talent from Gwanda, has taken centre stage on Bulawayo musician Bhila’s latest single, Njalo — a song that celebrates love in a simple and relatable way.
The track, which blends traditional mbaqanga rhythms with modern Afro-fusion sounds, is already resonating with listeners who appreciate music that reflects everyday life. At a time when many songs focus on heartbreak and conflict, Njalo stands out for its positive message about love, commitment and appreciation between partners.
Born Blessing Bhankwe, Utsheketsha Ogezayo delivers a strong and emotional performance on the song. His voice carries a sense of honesty and warmth that has helped the track connect with audiences across different age groups. Through this collaboration, he is not only showcasing his own talent but also helping to shine a light on the growing music scene in Matabeleland South.
Bhila, whose real name is Patriarch Joel Welcome Manyabi, brings his own experience and musical influence into the project. With Njalo, he combines elements of classic mbaqanga — a genre rooted in Southern African musical traditions — with modern storytelling that reflects today’s relationships.
The result is a song that feels both familiar and fresh. The influence of legendary groups like the Soul Brothers can be heard in the rhythm and structure, but the lyrics and delivery bring a contemporary touch that appeals to younger listeners.
At the heart of the song is a message that encourages people to appreciate love in its true form. Rather than focusing on the difficulties that often dominate conversations about relationships, Njalo promotes a more hopeful and balanced view.
“Njalo is a celebration of love. It is inspired by the mbaqanga sound from the likes of Soul Brothers,” said Bhila.
For Bhila, the song is not just about entertainment. It is also about changing the way people talk about relationships and marriage. He believes that music can play an important role in shaping attitudes and encouraging healthier connections between partners.
“I believe we need to tell more positive stories to bury negative narratives surrounding love and marriages. It is largely inspired by our daily realities,” he said.
Bhila also spoke highly of Utsheketsha Ogezayo’s contribution, describing him as an artiste with a strong sense of maturity and a unique vocal style. According to him, the collaboration worked because both artistes shared the same vision for the song.
“I loved the maturity in his writing, and he has a unique voice,” he said.
For Utsheketsha Ogezayo, being part of Njalo is an important moment in his journey as an artist. The opportunity to work with an established musician like Bhila has not only boosted his confidence but also exposed him to a wider audience.
He believes the song carries a message that many people can relate to, especially those who are in relationships.
“This song is written with great art, deep in love. Someone who has a partner will understand it well,” said Utsheketsha.
Interestingly, the collaboration between the two artistes started in a very modern way. Utsheketsha revealed that they first connected on TikTok, where Bhila came across his work and showed interest in what he was doing.
“Bhila and I met on Tik Tok. He said he enjoyed my work, then invited me to the studio. I just sat there in awe,” he said.
That first meeting led to studio sessions where the two worked together to shape the final sound of Njalo. What began as a simple online interaction grew into a meaningful partnership that has produced a song with real impact.
Utsheketsha said the message behind the song is simple but powerful — to remind people of the beauty of love when it is genuine and properly valued.
“The main purpose is to encourage a person who has never celebrated their love with their partner to see how beautiful love is when you find it,” he said.
The song also paints a full picture of love, going beyond words to include imagery and emotion. According to Utsheketsha, the production captures different aspects of relationships, including traditional ideas of marriage and commitment.
This blend of music, storytelling and cultural elements gives Njalo a deeper meaning, making it more than just another love song. It becomes a reflection of how relationships are lived and experienced in everyday life.
Beyond the song itself, Utsheketsha is also thinking about the bigger picture. He believes that artists from Matabeleland South need to work together and put in more effort to ensure their music reaches larger platforms.
“It needs us to make it happen and work hard to put the work on the map,” he said.
His words highlight a common challenge faced by many artistes from smaller regions — the struggle to gain recognition on the national stage. However, collaborations like Njalo show that with determination and teamwork, it is possible to break through those barriers.
Looking ahead, Utsheketsha has made it clear that Njalo is just the beginning. He is already working on new material and plans to release a full album soon.
“My album is waiting to go into production. It is coming soon,” he said.
This upcoming project is expected to further showcase his talent and build on the momentum created by his collaboration with Bhila. Fans who enjoyed Njalo are likely to be eager to hear more of what he has to offer.
The partnership between Bhila and Utsheketsha Ogezayo is a strong example of how Zimbabwean artistes can come together to create music that is both meaningful and appealing. By focusing on positive storytelling and blending traditional and modern sounds, they are helping to shape a unique musical identity for the region.
At the same time, their work is placing Matabeleland South firmly on the map as a source of emerging talent. As more artistes from the area begin to gain recognition, the region’s influence on the wider music industry is likely to grow.
