It’s Fresh It’s Real It’s www.zoutnet.co.za/makoya
August 12, 2011 • Year 6, Vol.13
Tel: 015 962 1008
* By Ntsieni Tshisevhe (article supplied)
Malondolo Set for international fame Hailed as Queen of Venda traditional music, Malondolo has begun to take Venda music to the world stage. Her sweet combination of Tshivenda sound (six/eight rhythm), is laced with a blended cocktail of African influences, such as Zimbabwean music, Mbira Tshimurenga and kwasa, and a combination of South American “Latin‘ Rhythms and Funk. It has given birth to new sounds of Venda music, categorized under the new-born genre, “Venda traditional-jazz fusion“. The sound is characterized by the influence of jazz and its harmonic and chromatic arrangements that will oil your ears and blow your mind away. Her single, titled Ndi a Livhuwa, was released in September 2010 and has been a hit in Venda, being played almost every day by the local radio-Phalaphala fm, Makhado fm and Mpumalanga community radio. It has become the most loved album by everyone that speaks and understands the Venda language, as well as those who are passionate about good sounds. The single is in huge demand since the day of its release. She has also been asked to perform at the Mapungubwe music festival, and was the only Venda artist (together
with Colbert Mukhwevho), who were listed on the 18th December line up that featured South Africa’s top jazz icons - Simpiwe Dana, Ringo, Malatji, Jonas Gwangwa Thandiswa Mazwai, Letta Mbuli and Caiphus Semenya, rock artist Karen Zoid and Danny K. After Her first interview at Phalaphala fm, so many people called commenting about her music which they never heard anywhere, especially coming from a Venda musician. Her big stage appearances started in 2008 when she toured to France for the FIMU music festival. FIMU music fest is a music festival that takes place annually in a town called Belfort in France. At the time she was the face of the group called Vhembe Heritage, and it was Malondolo and Vhembe heritage in France. This festival combines artists from all over the world to meet and share the stage
MEET CARTOONIST MADOX HLUNGWANE... Becoming a cartoonist in a major organization still eludes Madox Hlungwani even after
together. In France she had three successful performances, performing for more that ten thousand people per show, and the media was all over her,
years of trying. Born in Ha-bungeni, he has been proposing his artistic talents to national print companies himself, with very little success. Not discouraged by that, he managed to be commissioned by the Limpopo Department of Arts and Culture to compile a comic book on the heritage of Vatsonga people and their chief,
as they were very impressed with the rhythm she played (six eight-lende), the language, the moves as well as her traditional stage uniform. She was performing on the world stage, representing Venda-Limpopo-South Africa and Southern Africa as a whole. A lot of people in France‘who managed to get her contacts are e-mailing her even today, asking when she is going back to France to tour. Her latest album was released last year. Five tracks were recorded at DSOUNDS (Bobodi) for V.M.P Records and WINMAN STUDIO (Mamphogoro) and since then Phalaphala fm has been playing her songs almost everyday from the day they receive the CD. Songs like “NDI A DIHINA AND MASINDA MBILU” are hitting the airwaves and are most loved by everyone. The full album is already out and is available at selected stores. This eleven track album is making heat waves and is beginning to put Venda music on maximum heights. The album contains all her previous songs and five new tracks in a traditional jazz blend. Malondolo is going international… watch the space!
Nghunghunyani. That was in 2007. “The project entailed doing in-depth research in order for me to publish factual animations”, he said. When that was over it was back to his original dream of becoming a mainstream cartoonist. Since life won’t wait for him to realize his dreams, he found employment as a driver in one of the pie restaurants in Thohoyandou. Just like his role model, Zapiro, he draws political, and somewhat controversial cartoons. He is so good with the pencil that the cartoons tell the full story without even spelling a word. The celebrities are drawn in so much detail you don’t need to look twice to recognize who they are. Madox has all the qualities of a professional cartoonist in a major publication. The journey continues for Madox, and even
though his cartoons don’t make it into national newspapers, he is sure that he will become part of something big. In the long run he hopes to study further in the field of 3D animation. I have no doubt that with his passion and determination he will overcome his financial challenges and study what he wishes to. For self portraits or if you would like to assist him in his career, you can contact him on 073 780 9099 or 073 233 2050. * By Ntsieni Tshisevhe