A mechanic by profession, Mnkandla temporarily swapped his greasy overalls and spanners for the microphone recently.
The album is partly dedicated to the singer’s Zimbabwean soccer club and Bulawayo giants, Highlanders, but also carries two Ndebele children’s play tunes, which the singer says are meant to encourage a return to tradition for the modern youth.
“My main genre is traditional music, but I decided on House in this album so that I reach out to the young generation,” says Mnkandla.
“I realised that House appeals to the youth and decided I should adapt to my young audience by giving them what they prefer, yet containing the message I want to convey to them on tradition.”
The title track, two traditional songs, Wozongen’ungene, Qhela Umkhumbi and a love offering – Wamuhle, which is probably the best song on the album, are most likely to be highly appreciated in Bulawayo, where both Highlanders and House music are a hit.
The 34-year-old mechanic-cum musician, who runs a car repair garage in Hillbrow, first broke into the music scene in 1995, where he joined then Bulawayo-based Ndebele Mbaqanga group, Isizukulwane for a relationship that spanned the next four years.
In 1999, he left the band to seek greener pastures in neighbouring South Africa, where he continued to sing on a part-time basis and recorded his debut album, The beginning/Shikisha in 2004 which was a flop due to poor marketing.
Post published in: Entertainment