New vibe will carry Mafikizolo forward
New album sees iconic Afropop group sample sounds from the continent
Even after 20 years in the game, Mafikizolo has not dimmed the fire and hunger to prove themselves. I ask Nhlanhla Nciza if they would consider changing a name that means “newcomers”.
She offers humbly: “We’ve worked so hard for the name. There was a time when things didn’t work out for us and people suggested that we change the name. They thought maybe it was not catchy enough, but Theo, Oskido and I refused and persevered.
“You know, again, wherever we go, people always say we look young and our sound is current. I would like to think that it’s a compliment because a mafikizolo is young and current and in fashion.
“This is what we always tell people: always be hungry to learn, feel like you’re on the up and coming, every day learn something new, there’s always room to grow – never say you’ve arrived.”
This rings true to the character of the Nciza and Theo Kgosinkwe duo.
With a sterling two-decade track record that saw them conquer local charts and take on the mighty Nigerian music market and win, they could throw their weight around and show diva tendencies.
Nciza and Kgosinkwe, however, thrive on modesty and kindness that they show to all, especially their fans.
Today sees another milestone as they release 20, their landmark ninth album. Packed with 16 genre-bending tracks, it’s a celebration of what has made Mafikizolo an African music phenomenon. Since Khona, their 2012 smash hit single that took the West and East African markets by storm, they have lost count of the countries they have performed in. From Sudan to Ethiopia to Rwanda and the DRC – you will be excused for calling them Mama and Papa Africa.
Kgosinkwe reminisces about the story of Mama Africa. “Miriam Makeba was not boxed; her sound changed with her travels and she even spoke the languages of the countries she lived in or visited. We have also been pushing for unity and collaboration with African artists and this is finally happening,” he says. The choice of music, beats, sounds and lyrics on 20 reflect a matured, well travelled and cosmopolitan disposition, but they remain rooted in South Africa. Their first single, Love Potion is a reprise of Undenza Ntoni from their 2004 album Six Mabone. It comes with a regalthemed video already sitting at 3.5-million views on You Tube. Kgosinkwe believes Undenza Ntoni didn’t receive enough shine when it was released – hence the revisit. It sounds so different with a changed sound, music and some English lyrics, plus their newly acquired accent. This song is a throwback for long-time Mafikizolo supporters. The songs also feature top-drawer Nigerian talents such as Yemi Alade on “Ofananawe, produced by Masterkraft, who also hails from Nigeria. US R&B singer Syleena Johnson drops by for a studio outing on the exciting calypso track Ndifunukwazi, produced by DJ Maphorisa. She even sings in Xhosa.
Harmonize from Tanzania joins them on Don’t Go, which boasts the distinctive South African sound inspired by the late Joe Mafela’s hit Congo Mama, fused with the East African aesthetic. The iconic Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get It On, inspired Best Thing, in which they wax lyrical about the beauty of a woman. The track is produced by Gemini Major. Other features are Zimbabwe’s Jah Prayzah on the Shona song Mazuva Wa Kanaka.
“We are trying to bridge all these gaps. We believe that in the next three to four years, African artists will be able to work on the continent and make money,” says Nciza. They pay a special tribute to Tebogo Madingwane, the third member of Mafikizolo who died in 2000 on the song Sijaiva Njalo. “We went for a song that boasts Tebogo’s vocals strongly.
“We needed to remind our followers old and new that Mafikizolo was made up of three members originally,” says Kgosinkwe.
Join Mafikizolo as they celebrate
● their 20th anniversary with a concert on Saturday, December 2 at Silverstar Casino in Krugersdorp at 7pm. Tickets start at R280 per person.