Khoza’s switch to amahubo a master stroke
Ages-old spiritual songs prove a hit internationally
When award-winning vocalist Mbuso Khoza dumped jazz music in 2015 to focus on amahubo, ages-old songs in (Zulu culture, many thought he had committed a career suicide.
This happened after he had just won best jazz album at the SA Music Awards (Samas), in 2013. But Khoza wanted to explore and understand amahubo and their history.
Since then he has presented his Isandlwana lectures to sold-out theatres across SA.
Using insights, lyrics and music written and performed at the time of the Battle of Isandlwana, against the British, he relives the incident that happened in 1879 near present-day Nquthu.
Six years down the line, Khoza is all smiles as amahubo get attention even from abroad.
He is now touring Europe to promote a collaborative album he did with Switzerland trumpeter Matthias Spillmann, aka Mats-Up.
The album, titled Ivovo and was released internationally in 2019, is a combination of amahubo and jazz.
The tour started in Lucerne, Switzerland, on Monday with a sold-out show.
On Wednesday, he performed in Bremen, Germany, and today he is set to appear in Stadtkirche Darmstadt, also in Germany. He will end the tour in Kulturforum Villach, Austria, on October 23.
Speaking to Time Out while on an eight-hour drive from Switzerland to Germany, Khoza expressed delight with the success of the opening night.
“I performed to a sold-out show and the band was well received by the audience,” Khoza said. “People resonate with amahubo.
“It amazes me because when I began this journey of amahubo, people thought that I was sick and needed to heed a call for ubungoma [to be initiated to become a sangoma].
“What surprises me is that in Europe they find the music refreshing and unique. After the show some people came to me asking if I was the same person singing in the album. People loved the music so much that some of them were close to tears.
“I am pleased that amahubo music is making waves in Europe. When Matthias showed an interest to amahubo music, to me it said I was on the right track.
“I will also present lectures in different parts of Europe about SA heritage. The lectures will be attended by the community, musicians and students.”
Khoza said there was a demand for indigenous music in Europe and, as a result, he had already scored another tour in March next year.
The singer, who was born in Eshowe in KwaZulu-Natal, said SA could conquer the world with its indigenous music.
“This collaboration makes me realise that we [as a country] can never say we have all experiences in life if it’s not something that we have not reflected deeply on. Look at Europeans, they are reflecting deeply on our history and heritage. “We just need to explore other indigenous music styles like Pedi, Tsonga, Sotho, Ndebele and Xhosa.”