The Sunday News
Meluleki Moyo
WHOEVER said one plus one equals two and two is greater than one, could as well have realised that if you combine two parties and unique minds together to create a musical piece, it can turn out pretty crazy, for such has been the case with ex-footballer turned musician, Thulani “Thuts Harsh Touch” Dube.
The renowned entertainer has managed to claim parentage to the pleasing-to-the-ear track titled Yekelani Bangene, and thanks to the musical intercourse he recently had with the three Zulu queens of the “Taste and Pass” fame, Nani Ntengo, Nelly and Sonto of the Platform One outfit, in a session staged during the entertainment loaded festive season.
Passionately stashed among other tracks like Kwenzenjani, Dlala Nyoni Yami, Highlanders Gxoba and Liyidlalile Indima Yenu, where the Mantengwane fanatic pays profound tribute to other Bosso legends, on the track Yekelani Bangene, featuring Platform One, the multi-disciplinary approaching Dube takes a cultural route, this time targeting the negativity and retrogressive elements around the sanctified institution of marriage, hence the lyrics “lingabavimbeli, yekelani bangene” into their matrimonial unions.
“Traditionally and time immemorial, Platform One has been part and parcel of weddings in Zimbabwe, and they are arguably decorated specialists in wedding songs. Collaborating with them in this project was not only a blessing and an honour but an eye opener as well, as it boosted my cultural appreciation”, said Dube who also owns Harsh Touch Entertainment, specialists in issues to do with entertainment, ranging from weddings, yet ironically handling them in a soft and soothing manner.
The multi-talented star who is also a decorated Master of Ceremonies seeks to link with traditional roots on the track Dlala Nyoni Yami, however, bemoaned local exorbitant yet low standard productions, a development which he attributes to an over-reliance on neighbouring South Africa, in anything musical.
The Highlanders DJ, famed for wowing the Bosso legion during the scheduled matches at Barbourfields Stadium once donned the black and white juniors stripe under coach Reuben Tsengwa in 2004, playing alongside the likes of Eric Mudzingwa and Guide Goddard, among other now established players before succumbing to the shameless demons of injury on the eve of a breakthrough to the senior squad in 2005.
