It’s Fresh It’s Real It’s
C M Y K
www.zoutnet.co.za/node/makoya
31 August 2012 • Year 7, Vol.12
Tel: 015 962 1008 When one starts to mention the surname Madima it should shout a strong message to your ears. From generation to generation they have conquered and have always been flying their flag high for ages. From literature to entertainment, they seem to rule the game. I remember the likes of Itani, Lufu, and Maduvha, the list is endless. Ladies and Gentlemen, we now introduce the latest offspring of one of the most talented families in the history of Venda tribe “Shumi Madima”. * Hi Shumi and welcome to Makoya Mag. Hi thank you very much for having me. * You are now the youngest flag bearer in the family; do you find it a challenge? There is a lot of pressure because of the people in my family who are well-known. It makes me proud to be a Madima. We are an interesting lot, but I actually tend to avoid mentioning my surname because I want people to know me for what I have to offer. For the most part I’m really just doing me and finding my path. I’m not trying to sing like my sister or write like my grandfather, but I cannot deny that coming from a family of creatives has allowed me to do what I do. It makes me proud, especially thinking of my grandfather, the late E.S Madima, and to know that I’m one of the people who inherited his talent. My parents have played a big part, having been in the ECHO band and therefore music was always a part of me. My sister Maduvha is my light. I don’t think anyone will ever understand how awesome she is to me. The support she’s given me with this music thing goes beyond what I expected. My brother DJ Shandu is my hero, the coolest dude ever and I’m sure a lot who know him will agree. Mukoma is my other brother, I really hope you guys will get to hear what he has to offer because he’s so soulful and has one of the best voices I’ve heard. * How long have you been in the industry? I don’t know what determines that but I guess I can say, based on the fact that I’ve only been on radio now, that it’s been about three months. It was around July 2010 though that i started pursuing a solo career in music. Before that, I was part if the University of Johannesburg Choir and we would go on tour and perform and rehearse three times a week so it was a real music job. I owe a lot to that experience. It taught me that a lot of hard work goes into the industry if longevity is what you’re looking for. * What is your favourite genre at the moment? That’s a very difficult question to ask a musician because I expose myself to different genres and I draw inspiration from it. Afro Jazz was my first love, but now I have now grown to love soul and what people call “world music”. These are genres that are very open and unlimited and allow you to experiment
with various elements. My favourite artists, whose league I aspire to be in are Corinne Bailey Rae, Sade and Asa. I love, love, loooooooove The Muffinz and Freshlyground. I make an effort to listen to people who aren’t popculture like Ingrid Michaelson and Maverick Sabre. Raggae is a genre that speaks to me. I haven’t explored much in that department but I appreciate Bob Marley and Colbert Mukwevho. * What are your special aspirations for women this month? I wish for women to know that you can be whoever you want to be. There’s a lot of judgement, unfortunately amongst women themselves, of the choices we make. I think we need to support each other in the paths we choose to take, be it whether one chooses to be a stay-at-home mother with five children, or whether one values their career more than family life at the moment. And even if you want the best of both, go for it! The right path is the one that makes your heart happy, pursue that. * Three things you can’t live without? I have three things, God, love and Faith. God is Love. Love made me. It is an unconditional ever-present force that exists despite my flaws. I would not be where I am if it were not for Love. And I could not stand if I wasn’t sure of the fact the God is love. This is the reason I do what I do. I was loved enough to be given the talents I have, and now I must love people enough to share this with them and give them the best of me. Faith is that force that lets me know I am worthy of reaching my dreams. I would have quit by now if it wasn’t, because I refuse to believe otherwise. My faith won’t fail me. * Tell us about your project and where can we find it? I do not have albums and only released singles which are currently playing on radio. I wanted to test if people would like the work I’m doing and so far I truly appreciate all the feedback I’ve been getting, most especially the airplay from the radio stations. We are now working on making these singles available for download. You can also follow me on twitter @ thisisshumi or find my page Shumi on facebook for updates on my gigs. I have an amazing band! They are worth coming to watch. * Can you briefly share with us about your Hansa experience? Earlier this year I entered the Hansa Pilsener competition where the winners got to open for Ushers. I made it to the Top12 but unfortunately did not make the final 6. I loved every bit of the experience and the best thing I got from that was the support which I believe I still have and will always cherish. * Thank for your time, we’ll hook up with you some other time.... You’re welcome. Wish you all the best