MaXhosa, Yumbs ‘oeuvre knit’ Credo Mutwa’s wisdom
WHAT do you do when a cartel of folklore, vogue and music culture orchestrates? When a mapped-out plan bellows, impacting audiences on a variety of ways for different reasons, at different times? Threading through the eye of a needle to find donut range, is a premium Xhosa inspired contemporary knitwear: Maxhosa Africa, a fête of some sort harnessing traditional Xhosa beadwork aesthetics using South African mohair and wool.
Of laser sharp unapologetic celebration of culture through self-expression displays; writhing the tonal pattern screw further by manufacturing a scale of idiosyncratic flavoured looped croon trills in magnificence — is a multi-talented producer Disc Jockey Yumbs. Neither plunging into darkness nor getting the wrong end of the stick; for goodness’ sake — in his lifetime, well-regarded Zulu traditional healer and writer Vusamazulu Credo Mutwa, stood always inclined to helping somebody cross. Awaking dreamers within and on the far side of the ‘rainbow nation’, to realise that there are particular people whose lives are tied to their dreams.
With the chronicles of the three creative god heads blowing faster than the wind in August, in their respective quick-witted oysters; Maxhosa just hatched its ampleprojected EP (extended play) titled — ‘Sons and Daughters of Credo Mutwa’
‘Indaba, My Children’ (1964), ‘Let Not My Country Die’ (1986), ‘Song of the Stars: Lore of the Zulu Shaman’ (1996), ‘Zulu Shaman: Dreams, Prophecies and Mysteries’ (2003), and ‘Woman of Four Paths: The Story of a Strange Black Woman in South Africa’ (2007); exert leaps of influence. Drawing upon African mythology, traditional Zulu folklore, extra-terrestrial encounters and Mutwa’s own personal happenstances!
His last toil was a Mark McKeown and Andre Human published graphic novel called ‘MA: Book One of The Tree of Life Triology’; based on his texts of his most eminent book: ‘Indaba, My Children’, a commercial and critical feat which has sold over 250,000 copies in South Africa.
Paying homage to the latter’s spiritual and artistic legacy, the sculpt of birdcall (‘Sons and Daughters of Credo Mutwa’), has been featured as part of MaXhosa’s runway fashion shows since last 12-month. Beloved by American global icons like singer, ballad maker, actress and businesswoman Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Swizz Beatz a record producer, rapper and Disc Jockey, as well as attorney and author Michelle Obama; the Mzansi knitwear brand divulged its a la mode collection dubbed “My Conviction”, during Paris Fashion Week a little over a month today. Further congealing its status as a chief might on the fashion planet!
Founded slightly over a decade ago by Laduma Ngxokolo; this was with longing to explore design solutions that would be apposite for Amakrwala (Xhosa initiates) traditional dress. As he believes that “we all have roots that we start from”, Ngxokolo who in 2015 won the Vogue Italia Scouting for Africa prize to showcase his collections at the Palazzo Morando Show in Milan, Italy; chose to diagnose traditional Xhosa aesthetics, therewith — utilising his fashion stamina to document.
Then at that point, he has been showered with numerous laurels.
Not only did New African Magazine name him one of the 100 Most Influential Africans of 2017; Ngxokolo was bestowed the 2014 ‘WeTransfer Scholarship’ to study masters in Material Futures at the Central St. Martins. Prominence assuredly exists alongside him; as he captures the hearts of many fashion aficionados as well as the media landscape from South Africa, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Oslo, Berlin and New York.
Having been an official drummer for rapper Priddy Ugly at the age of 16, Yumbs became — in his senior year (2020) — the main composer as well as melodic director for the production ‘Hip-Hop Helmet’, which premiered at the Nelson Mandela Theatre. And he is yet again fluttering auricles and eyelids with his midas touch as the producer of ‘Sons and Daughters of Credo Mutwa’.
This none-too-foreseeable canon craft procures top South African artists — Khanyisa, Baby S.O.N, and Raspy; who hop skip jump on the chords, thereupon, establishing their names in the history books. The magnum opus is centered around the voice recordings of Mutwa, a keen soul famous also for his exertion as an active and vocal backer in the use of traditional African remedies for the treatment of HIV / AIDS, cancer as well as tuberculosis.
Always about what he does as opposed to what he says; Yumbs brings his exclusivity to the incraze EP, imbuing poignant Amapiano numbers with Mutwa’s teachings. The lead anthem, ‘The Earth, uMama’, in conjunction with harmoniously stanched Khanyisa; sets the tone for the composition, offering a soul-stirring journey into African folklore and traditional Zulu legends. Mutwa’s philosophical acumen about the traditional veneration for dance as a spiritual tool, are given novel life through the catching tempi of Amapiano. With that, generating an immersive sonic experience!
‘Sons and Daughters of Credo Mutwa’ represents a convergence of our shared cultural heritage and creative expression. Through this EP, we aim to celebrate the richness of African culture while pushing the boundaries of artistic collaboration,” Ngxokolo said.
Excellent with down-to-earth special allure reimagining international Rhythm & Blues oeuvre blasts, Yumbs exclaimed: “Working on this project with MaXhosa has been a truly inspiring experience! We are honoured to pay tribute to the legendary Credo Mutwa through music, and we hope that this EP resonates with listeners worldwide.”
Grant Moyo is a proli c writer, innovative media personality, entrepreneur and a creative artist who is passionate about using his creative mind for the betterment of society. Follow him on