Mabandla gets back to finding roots

‘Mangaliso’ reveals spiritual path

TSOLO-born Afro-folk music sensation Bongeziwe Mabandla has made a return to the music industry with his latest offering Mangaliso, which he says captures his spiritual journey and his exploration of his roots.

He plans to bring his new music to the Eastern Cape, a place he says inspires his lyrics.

Mabandla told the Dispatch his 10track album was an interplay of traditional Xhosa lyrics and modern sounds. “Although elements of the album are very contemporary, there is a quality to the songs and music that captures the deep spirituality that has always been in African culture.”

He said the album’s name was inspired by the highs and lows of his journey since he released his first album, Umlilo, in 2012.

“The title of the album simply means ‘Life is a marvel’. This album is different in that it is very spiritual. My journey with spirituality began after I realised that to us, as Africans, music fulfills a spiritual role. Where I come from in Tsolo, music was used specifically.

“Songs tapped into matters of the heart and spirituality. I’ve grown, I think, differently now. Time has passed and there have been a lot of changes I wanted to express through this album. I feel like I am starting again, so Mangaliso carries the energy of something totally new and invigorating.”

The album is Mabandla’s first release under the record label Universal Music. “I’m excited to be at Universal. I’ve been absent from the industry for five years. Because the kind of music I do is different, it requires different treatment, and I am happy to be in a place where I feel my artistry is respected and valued,” he said.

He described Mangaliso as an experimental and “unexpected” sound for South Africa. The album features original compositions such as Ndokulandela, Wena and Bawo Wam . He said he worked on the album with former Tumi and the Volume guitarist Tiago Paulo, Cape Town-based Beatenberg Boys and lyrical maestro Spoek Mathambo.

Mabandla’s sound has given him international exposure, and he hopes to release this album internationally, too. He has toured Australia, Asia and Canada, and plans to tour the world again later this year.

“This album is ... South African music but with a twist. We’ve taken something traditional and ancient and made it modern, hip and exciting. This is a traditional South African album with an international feel. My new music is more artistically experimental than anything I’ve ever done before, and I can’t wait to bring my new songs to audiences in South Africa.” —