The Sunday News
Nigel Siziba, Sunday Life Reporter
MASKAND’ Emuntwini Movement was formed in 2016 by Prince Mazilankatha with the intention to promote, protect and preserve Maskandi music genre.
In an interview with Sunday Life, he said he chose to revive the maskandi genre because he realised that its future was gloomy even though it originated in Bulawayo in the 1940s.
“I loved the genre since I was very young. As I grew up I researched about it and found out that it started in Bulawayo in the 1940s by the likes of George Sibanda who used to stay in 7th street Makokoba which was known as street of music during the days, this is the reason why I decided to start this movement,” he said.
Since this movement was formed, it has made strides towards the revival of maskandi.
“Basically from the time we began we have recorded some positives, even though we got some of the artistes already in the industry, but what we did was to gather them and started to promote their music and this encouraged a lot of young artiste to join us this is why we have over 200 artistes,” said Prince.
Mazilankatha also hailed the response he has received from people.
“The response we have received from people is overwhelming. In the next five years we see ourselves being recognised at national level and we also want to take this music to schools as well so that they learn these songs from a tender age,” said Prince.
He also said local artistes and radio stations have been supportive of his movement.
“Local artistes have been very supportive, I have worked with guys like Zinjaziyamluma, Abafana bakaMzilikazi, Igqishamnkantsha to mention just a few and most importantly Jeys Marabini who has always played a father figure role,” he said.
@SizlaNigel
