Sotsha Moyo reviving, promoting Kalanga language, culture through music

WHEN we were growing up Black Umfolosi played a major part in influencing our career path. They shot into our lives at the peak of their careers, travelling to all corners of the world, and proving to many of us that a career in the arts was very possible. We remember in our school uniforms, going crazy every time we saw them riding their new mountain bikes to town or to rehearsals or shows. They were about 10 of them and loved riding together, all dressed in shiny tracksuits. During this time mountain bikes were a dream ride for many young people. To aspiring artistes like us then Black Umfolosi were living the dream — they were the dream we all wanted to live. Well-travelled, successful and still rooted in their community.

So from riding mountain bikes the group easily graduated to driving cars, owning houses and business ventures. They were on radio, television, and newspapers. They grabbed the whole country’s attention with their national hit “Unity” which later was adopted as the official soundtrack to the Unity Accord signed by Robert Mugabe and Joshua M Nkomo in 1987. Black Umfolosi pioneered the arts — they paved a way and inspired the formation of a lot of imbube groups. Since their formation they have been the proud custodians of isicathamiya in the country. Besides having travelled over 40 countries across the world and sharing the stage with music greats like UB40, Jimmy Cliff, Maria Carey and others the group still remains grounded in the community that brought them up.

Books and books can be written about this legendary group. In fact, books about Black Umfolosi should be written and made national reading material in schools and beyond. However, this article is not about the group but one of their members. Today it is all about Sotsha Moyo and the launch of his sixth solo album this coming week. There is so much we would love to tell you about Sotsha Moyo — about his soft-spoken nature and down to earth nature, his unassuming nature and all but maybe some other time. We got an opportunity to talk to Sotsha Moyo about his coming album, what to expect and other things about his life in music. Here is our conversation:

Arts Focus: So it’s true. You are launching a solo album?

SM: Yes. Very true. And the launch is this coming week.

Arts Focus: So this is another chapter in your musical life. Are you going solo?

SM: No. I am not launching a solo career but just a solo album. I’m still with Black Umfolosi but this is just an aside project and please note that this is not my first solo project. This new album is actually my sixth one.

Arts Focus: Tell us a little about Black Umfolosi. SM: The group was formed in 1982 by school boys (friends) at George Silundika Primary School. Later this group saw us going on a journey that took us through all continents of the world — Africa, Asia, America and

Europe.

Arts Focus: What is the philosophy behind the group and its success?

SM: Family. Friendship. Togetherness. And remaining true to oneself and shunning the trappings of stardom and fame. That is all that has kept us focused and to achieve what we have achieved so far. With a lot of favours from God, of course.

Arts Focus: Now tell us about this solo project. What is it all about and why now?

SM: Like I said before this is not my first solo project or album. In fact, it is my sixth. Since 2004 I have been doing solo projects when I find time and space in my busy schedule. My solo projects are approved by Black Umfolosi because with them I try to push, promote and celebrate my Kalanga language and culture. This is so because mainstream media promotes Shona and Ndebele cultures or songs by giving them airplay and ignoring other languages and cultures. My solo albums are a cry for recognition and inclusion of other languages that the constitution of Zimbabwe recognises as officially local languages. My sixth album, about Kalanga contemporary music, comes after the following solo projects: Dabilani (2004), Babakidzani (2006) Tjaba Tjangu (2008) Lebani lebeswa (2012) and Mabuyani (2018). All are about issues that are very dear to me. Responding to local situations. spirit of neighbourliness, nationhood and all.

Arts Focus: What do you want from your fans/ supporters and what are you promising them at the launch and with this new album?

SM: First, I want my supporters not confuse the solo projects I do as some form of breakaway from Black Umfolosi. They are not. The solo projects have complete blessings from Black Umfolosi. I want them to come and celebrate with me. The launch is not your usual launch. I have cooked a Kalanga musical dish that can only be cooked by expert hands, hands that care about the work they do, hands that want you to enjoy when you sit down to eat. I want people to come to the launch and experience what I have experienced through my long journey in music, I want them to come and taste the beauty and sweetness of Kalanga culture and music. The album is not your everyday dish. So it will be an experience to remember.

Arts Focus: You haven’t told us what the new album is really about. And what is it called?

SM: Well, the album is about my mother tongue Kalanga. It is all about positive living and about promoting my language. I feel Kalanga died a long time ago due to colonisation and its exclusion from being taught in schools. So as a musician from Bukalanga I see it fit to contribute to the revival of my language, especially now that the constitution of Zimbabwe has declared all languages equal. The title of the album remains a secret till the day of the launch. There is a big reason for this. It’s a surprise.

Arts Focus: Last words?

SM: Please support my projects by buying my music from me in person or appointed agents. Desist from buying from the streets. Piracy has killed many musicians’ careers as their sweat is being enjoyed by others. Piracy allows people who never ploughed anything on the ground to reap the rewards of other people’s sweat. So I appeal to Bulawayo people, in their numbers and diversity, to come and support my project and to also support other local artistes in general.

Arts Focus: Thank you.

SM: Thank you and see you at the launch.