Shout

When you hear a voice, be it from a infant or rather an old man, it does not matter this is a voice of a call for listeners. Whenever I hear something I normally turn my head towards that noise and give an ear. Especially when i am in a crowded place I become more sensitive to any voice that might be of my interest. It is said that unlike woman, man can not focus on two things at once. I find that statement not true because i can do two things at once and still be focus enough to listen to anything that happen around me.
This is my blog as per say, but the main truth is that I am just shouting in the mist of a desert trying to find out how many people can listen and hear. Some can listen but not hear at all. So my heart goes out to all of you who manage to take time and read this blog and find it interesting to listen to what I have to say. I said long ago that my wish is to be connected to my readers and get all that they have to say into practice, so that I can be more creative in writing.
It is very much interesting to sit and observe people's reaction to a voice shouting in the train or in a public place. I came to realize that here in Hamburg as commuters of a public transport turn to don't appreciate noise. I lough all the time when I'm on the phone and people look at me like I am crazy or something is wrong with talking on the phone.
I for one think that maybe the conservationism kills the fun and makes human being look like robots. If this world we live in today will come to an end what would you say you have been doing here and what have you achieved by being conservative?  Does it give you more money to despise and look down on someone just because he/she can not afford life like you? Do you sleep well when you have talked bad to your fellow human being at work or anywhere else? I do not find pleasure in writing about peoples behavior but this one has got my attention and I think we need a solution to it. I am again shouting for an ear and a voice of reason to ponder upon this matter.

My brother Frank, I am promising that I will not leave this blog before I have a ear book published. Jules you are an inspiration to my writings. Gugs, my soul was made to mach yours and it did happen. Alice twins are normally identical but the way you think makes me wonder why the world does not give you an award.

 My music is cooking people be on a look ought next year this time it will be out.

Living is a gift

This is me again trying to come back to this blog. It has been a very long time since I have written something, or rather say spoken to all readers. I am in good shape now thanks to my trip to South Africa early June.
I came to realize again that we only live because God has granted us another second, another hour or another day. It does not matter what the doctors may say to you about your condition or any consultant may say to you just because of circumstances or shortcomings. Stories I've heard may not equal the amount and the authority He has over life and living it.
God has blessed me with life, so I enjoy it to the fullest. So much has been entrusted to me and I do take all in to consideration and pay much respect to all who keep it real with life and never compromise for less then what they worth.
I am a dreamer, and all things I have spoken about are real and I am a living testimony to my life story. I learn as I grow that mistakes we make when young can cost us your future if not taken care of. As a man sometimes you meet people who makes you look good and sometimes the ones that makes you look bad.

This is what I have to say today. Maybe someday I will share more with you. For now let me leave you on that note. Me loving you is ought of question, pass my love to those who have never been here. Let them know I welcome them.

Bingelela

"Bingelela" is the name of this painting. Sometime in 2009 I had an accident on stage. My hip joint was unable to move and the pain was unbearable. I could not work, could not walk on my own. All the specialist doctors I went to could not find the problem and they just could not help me.
The brush and paint helped me realize more things i was missing by not being able to walk and so. This is what came ought of those days of pain. Was inspired by the Zulu greeting actually "Sakubona" or rather "Siyabonana" that means I can see you, you can see me.
The fact was that I had already confirmed to myself I wont walk ever again and I had written a song 2 weeks prior to the accident that talks about my disability of the same.
One thing I am grateful of is that I am on my two feet as now. And the painting is here. Enjoy this one.

Colorful Mzansi (South Africa)

The tradition of  Mzansi community is so much created by and around music and a dance. "Mzansi" means South, we use this to as a slang nowadays. When a child is born there is a song and when there is death also a song is there. In every gathering, as a nation or a tribe you will hear a lot of songs, Hyms and poems being recited.
I grew up in the times when western instruments has already merged with black voices, and the sound was something amazing. But in the country side is where I could listen to the unique melodies of the woman as they gather the fire wood in the bush, or enjoying their company in the river, may they be doing the laundry or fetching water. Those melodies and harmonies never left my mind. It is funny how we could recognize a man from a distance, by his song he sings. Sometimes he would carry those radios on his shoulder and sing along, then we would know he is back from Jozi or Durban or wherever he is working.
Many artist I have grown to know in this industry still copy the music of our forefathers. I myself still listen to Princess Magogo (Chief Buthelezi's mother) one of the prolific, accurate and unique singer. She amazes me more each time I listen to her. What is sad is this music you can hardly find. Mostly is shelved by radio stations but never play it, and some historians who just wanna enlarge their storage. Look at this normal man who live kwa Mashu hostel a mans hostel in the Durban's nearby township. Mashizolo this is how I know him. Use to see him around the market in Durban playing his traditional instrument "Isitorotoro"when I was a small boy and with his puppets entertaining people. I grew up and moved to Johannesburg then I was working in the studio and searching for some talents. Then I was sent to go look for him, to record his work. I was so happy that finally his work will be published. I am still waiting to see that happening today even though I am away from Mzansi for years now. But I hear now and again the parts of his music in different songs from different artist and my heart bleeds with pain. These are just two people I have mentioned. There is so much going on in this industry that the world should be aware of.
When I started touring my own country to learn more about or culture and customs, I realized that Mansi is so colorful and rich with diversity. This has made me proud of being a part of this nation. And every time I wake up and go to bed I make sure there is a song or a dance. In my music I add a flavor of Africa so that I will have my brand.

Everyone

The feeling of being around musicians is the most thrilling one, before and after the session. I have been working 10 hours on this very day, but still managed to go see the guys do what they do best. This area called Eppendof, somewhere in Hamburg next to Hoheluft Brücke U3 train station. A nice set up, wonderful musicians, but most of all great songs.

Germany is going to experience music that will change their perspective of looking at things. I am telling you, when this project is done, it is gonna be something to have. I am not a great singer but can tell you if something is working or not. For me simplicity is the best way of expressing yourself. That applies in everything in life. I mostly do not separate the two, life and simplicity. if you wanna tell me a story, tell it as if you are explaining it to a six year old, then I will get you.
Poetic lyrics are always good and charming, but a six year old won't get what you are trying to say. There are songs you can write only the musicians can listen to. But when I write I want my message to get across easy and faster to all gender, sex and age groups.

Let me not say more about things I trust they will happen and talk to you about this special song I did with these guys. Diazpora is the project and "Everyone " is the song title. Legbo is the guy sitting down on this picture. He is the one who approached me about this band's project and they were actually at the jam session in Altona one Friday.
The song is simple and straight to the point. Sweet chords, happy mood. I think we can still work on some more funk guitars on it after rearranging it. I will tell you more in this subject if you are interested, but for now let me hear from you.

Happy Sunday

When everything goes wrong make sure there is something you are doing that is so right but very hard for you to see. I know it for a fact for I am the living evidence of my words. God listen to all of our prayers even though it seem hard to wait, but, keep waiting, for your turn is coming. I have marked this day as my day. My heart and eyes have witnessed that love is beyond my understanding and works only for the benefit of its own.
Sunday is the day Jesus woke up from the dead and the day that my beloved family from Germany came to see me and share the few hours together of which has caused this to be the best that can ever happen to me.
Each man has his own secrets and wants to keep his hard and difficult times to himself, and so am I. I am weakened by problems and a smile has been a burden to me and not until this wonderful Sunday.
I love meeting people and this brother made me believe that through all odds love is the key to all that you want and ever wish to be. I cherish every smile and every hug I get in life, most important the gift of love is something you can never repay or maybe I have no words to describe how I feel about this day and me meeting my brother Frank.
I am so proud to call hm brother...... friend ..... and family. He showed me what we call an act of love and a symbol of trust and words of honesty to me and my family. That is why I wrote him a song "Ordinary friend" which I felt it suits the kind of person he is and more.

I told myself that I don't wanna be on stage again after the job I am doing now, but I feel I owe it to people like Frank to jump and grab that microphone and sing things I don't even know. So for anyone who is reading this, by this time next year this Album I am planning to release will be finished. One of the songs will be this one "Ordinary friend" if not a title album.

Trip to my childhood.

Let me start by giving thanks to all forces of the earth and above all give the praises to the only God I worship through Jesus Christ for the ability to share all that I can with you. I am so much thankful for the life entrusted to me. The friends I meet in this life give value to my willingness to live.
UMlazi is a township where i was born and spent my primary school life at. More interesting in my childhood is the fact that we were 13 in these smallest 4 roomed houses made for the black community in South Africa. Life was an exciting thing for us as kids, playing with every little ting we could lay our hands on. My mom was a dress maker and she used to saw pillow cases and aprons and we had fun selling those after school and learning to help her whilst doing them. She was a very strong women and a very strict mother. In most cases she would call us to sing every night after supper of which was an interesting time for young energetic boys who have been playing and running in the sun the whole time.
During our times kids were kids in all aspect. We enjoyed being treated as kids and enjoying the innocence we possessed at that time. Important information was for the grown ups and grown ups were those responsible people who took care for the whole community not just their own kids.
Those night sessions of singing, may it be a gospel, iMbube or traditional song, we would learn in different harmonies and did not matter how old you are you must get your own part. She would make sure we get it and not in a nice way but mostly in tears on your face. We use to think she did not like us, but we grew to realize it when we were at school or in church that she thought us something special and something that made us unique and important. And for this reason I am very proud of being born from that womb and be raised by that woman, and today I can write about her the whole day. For me music starts with her and ends in my heart.

I went from school to school doing what I do best and never forgot where i came from. Nongoma is one of the places in KwaZulu/Natal where I did most of my higher primary schooling. That is where I learned my acting skills. A teacher by name Mr Mafu wrote a nice drama piece where I was main character and enjoyed the fame and popularity of those days. Until today most people who know me from there are calling me "Sputla" that was from my character name.
I would love to go on talking but this is where I stop for today, until next time. Keep your eyes on this one for me and tell me how does it sound like. I have written songs that relate to my past and my friends I miss form these times, my brother included and Mr Mafu as well who wass killed years after I left Nongoma, Buxedine in a village called EZihlabathini next to a small river Bhalule. This is where my manhood started.