Thandiswa Mazwai

When Thandiswa Mazwai, former lead vocalist with Bongo Maffin released her debut album in March 2004, little did she know that that recording, Zabalaza, would readily connect with music lovers and win her many music award nominations. She clinched three nominations in the public vote-driven Metro FM Awards (Best Female, Best Afro-Pop, Album of the Year), was nominated for Best Female Artist from Southern Africa in the Kora All Africa Music Awards, and went on to receive a further nod in the BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music in 2005. She did win Metro FM’s Best Female Artist Award and Kara’s Best Female Artist in Southern Africa as well as Best Female Artist in Africa. To emerge the best in African music section, Anglophone Mazwai will have to beat leading Francophone artists Youssou N'Dour of Senegal and Malian Rokia Traore.

Tinariwen (a Touareg group) of Mali, is also in the race.

The success of Mazwai, one of the pioneers of Kwaito—a blending of South African ‘bubblegum’ disco music, R&B, ragga, hip hop and British and American house music—also appears to be the success of this uniquely Azanian tune that critics consider to be synonymous with freedom, democracy, identity and self-determination in New South Africa and Africa. Music critics have hailed Zabalaza, which is approaching platinum status, as a work that represents the best musical offering from South Africa while retaining a unique universal appeal. Mazwai's nomination for the BBC Radio 3 Award World Music Awards is also a first in that she is the first artist from an English-speaking African nation to be accorded this recognition. In previous years, the nominees have been from Francophone and Lusophone Africa. Ogova Ondego, ArtMatters.Info publisher, chats with Mazwai, whose nominations cast her as the best amongst her peers on a national, continental and international level, on her winning formula.

'Zabalaza', your 2004 debut album, appears to have consolidated your position as an African musician of repute. Of the three Metro FM Awards nominations—Best Female, Best Afro Pop, Album of the Year—it earned you, how many of these did you walk away with on November 27, 2004?

Well, I got the Best Female Award and it was a great honour because the Metro FM awards are based on public votes.

The album also won you the Best Female Artist from Southern Africa award in the Kora All Africa Music Awards that you easily grabbed on December 12, 2004. How will you feel should you win the BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music on January 22, 2005?

The Koras were an excellent night for me because I not only won the Best Female Award in Southern Africa but also won the overall award for Best Female Artist in Africa! Our performance that night was explosive and I feel I am ready to take on the mother continent and the world. If I win the BBC award, then I guess I will know that God is preparing me for greater things.

What is 'Zabalaza' and what does it talk about?

'Zabalaza' means ‘to do something about hardships in your life’. It is a word that symbolizes action, some kind of revolution. The album speaks of the experiences of a young African woman’s dreams and aspirations for herself and her society. It is at times a celebration of our customs, humanity, and our African identity. At other times it questions the powers that be about the state of the existence of Africans

How many tracks does 'Zabalaza' have and in what languages is it served?

Ten tracks, mostly in isiXhosa, isiZulu and some English.

Would you please take us through the road you have thus far traveled in the world of music?

I started singing in a friend’s backyard by mistake; this turned into the first album of a group we called Jacknife. By chance I met Don Laka who saw me at a talent contest I had reluctantly entered in 1996. This chance meeting was to later lead to some session work with a group called Bongo Maffin that Laka and Oscar were putting together. We met our first album in 1998 and one of our songs, Thathisgubu, became a hit. We went on to win many awards—including a Kora for Best African Group-- in the following years. We have since traveled around the world playing with musicians like Oliver Mtukudzi, Lagbaja, The Marleys, Beyonce and many other great world artists. I released my debut solo album in June 2004 and the story continues….

Thandiswa draws inspiration from her roots

What genre of music do you perform?

My music is African with a contemporary twist, fusing it with some soul and raga.

You were lead vocalist with Bongo Maffin, a leading Kwaito act before going solo. Why did you leave Bongo Maffin, and does the band still exist, bearing in mind that little is heard of it since the release of Bongolution almost five years ago?

Bongo Maffin is going into the studio at the end of January 2005. We realized that we have been on a long break and are now ready to do something for our fans all over the world.

There have been many high points but I won’t forget being invited to a private birthday lunch for Nelson Mandela in his residence. It was just the Mandela family, Bongo Maffin and Michael Jackson.

Any regrets?

No regrets. Bongo Maffin has been a blessing to my life.

How did the flare-up of xenophobia by South Africans against 'other Africans' in South Africa in the 1990s affect Bongo Maffin?

There are great misunderstandings between many Africans and most of it has to do with history. South Africa is not a stranger to some of the effects of oppression. One of these is the problem that Africans face when traveling around the continent or emigrating to other African countries. One of our band members is a Zimbabwean and he had problems with the South African Immigration office. But that was fixed and all is well.

Would you care to say something about your academic background—where you went to school, what you studied, at what level, and how this education is benefiting you in 2005?

I matriculated at Phuthhing High School and hold a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of the Witwatersrand; all my education has reinforced my love for politics and literature

What role does your roots and culture play in your musical career?

At the centre of every African’s existence is roots and culture and my music tries to reinforce this besides reminding Africans that we are perfect as created.

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton quotes you in BBC Focus on Africa magazine as saying that you represent 'a kind of intellectual side, the mature side of Kwaito'. What does this mean?

Many people said this of Bongo Maffin when we got onto the music scene because our subject matter was more about pride in our African identity and we were interested in recapturing African cultures and languages. At the time many young people were mimicking Americans and doing everything possible not to be associated with Africa.

Is 'immature' Kwaito-like house grooves and hiphop—repetitive mumbo jumbo and empty noises as critics allege?

I don’t know; I appreciate all good music.

Is Kwaito the music of the South African ghetto like gangsta rap in the United States of America?

Yes, but the only similarity is the ghetto

What is your marital status and how has it worked for or against your music career?

That question is not important.

How are you going to maintain traditional touch in your music as you reach to the world audience?

The world is ready to hear African music and we don’t have to change anything to make it accommodating. Africans are perfect just as they are.

What role has Gallo Records played in your career?

Gallo had a lot of faith and excitement about my album because they—everyone in sales and marketing--worked hard in promoting and selling it.

What is your take on African music in general and Anglophone African music in particular?

I am an African and I love African music.

What is your honest opinion of the KORA Awards? In 2004, two top South African musicians, Rebecca Malope and Lucky Dube, who had been nominated for awards, appeared to have snubbed the event as they came for performances in Kenya. Why do you think such a thing should take place in the face of what is seen as Africa's top musical fete?

Kora has bridged the gap and introduced Africans to Africans. We should all support it to ensure it grows into something global. That has already begun

Has your being female worked for or against you in the music career

I think success has little to do with whether one is male or female

What do you attribute your success to?

I attribute it to my predecessors: Brenda Fassie taught me how to capture an audience; Leleti Mbuli taught me grace, Miriam Makeba taught me about sustainability while Busi Mhlongo taught me that an African singer should aspire to that. I also attribute my success to respect for my craft and society.

Thumbs up for Thandiswa Mazwai's KORA

Do you have any plans to perform in East Africa? Many of your East African fans had looked forward to Bongo Maffin's performance at Zanzibar International Film Festival in June 2004 but you did not turn up. Why did this happen?

We should love to play in East Africa. Sometimes the problems are just logistical. Any one who wants to book us should call +27832299678

Would you please say something about yourself—place of birth, the kind of family that brought you up, and your values, dreams and fears. In other words, how would you describe yourself and the forces that have shaped you?

was born in Transkei (now Eastern Cape Province) and raised in Soweto. My folks were both journalists and so I was raised in a house of writers, full of books, some of which were banned at the time. My parents were also very politically conscious so we were always at some political meeting or another, surrounded by intellectual discussions. I was cushioned with loads of love from parents, relatives and the wider community.

What does it take for one to succeed in music business in Africa?

You have to see yourself as a business and make sure that everybody ultimately answers to you when it comes to your work. Keep it African because that is what the audience wants and need. Be brave and resilient.

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