The Sunday News
Nigel Siziba, Sunday Life Reporter
Up-and-coming kwaito, house artiste and Bulawayo Arts Awards nominee, Gift Lihlohonolo (21) popularly known as “Bhadilah” who hails from Beitbridge in Matabeleland South says he had mad love for football and he had planned his life around it. But little did he know that his musical talent would overturn all his plans in soccer.
In an interview with Sunday Life, Bhadilah unpacked his journey as a footballer during his school days.
“Before music I had put my heart in football. I have always loved football and I had always desired to play for bigger clubs. I remember at primary school I used to play as a goal keeper but I had to leave the position because of my short height and I was shifted to strike force at high school and I believe I would be somewhere by now because I put hard work in whatever I love,” he said.
From banging desks and putting some lyrics on that noise made him discover his hidden talent when he was still at Jason Ziyaphapha boarding school.
“It was at boarding school where we usually hosted some small gigs and we will be making sounds with desks and stuff then I would sing other people’s songs on the beats, that was my turning point because that is when I realised I can sing and I had to give it a try and it paid off,” he said.
Every parent is always reluctant to let their children venture into arts as it is associated with different stereotypes.
“It was very hard to convince my parents that I wanted to be a musician because they said that this will disturb my schooling and after some time they found it in their heart to let me do music after friends and relatives advised my mother to accept it.”
The 21 year-old did his first recording in 2013 and he was pleased to be nominated in the Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards.
“At 16 I had to give it a try and I recorded my first song and from there I haven’t let loose the accelerator and I was humbled to be nominated in the Best Gqom category in the Roil BAAs.
“First of all my secret is prayer I put God first in everything I do, be it music or academic endeavors. Above all I also put in hard work every time I do my music and I believe in a saying that says -Do your best and God will do the rest,” he said.
Even though he has made strides in his music career, his road has not been rosy as he has faced some challenges.
“The biggest challenge I am facing is lack of sponsorship or funding. This makes it hard for me to market my music and of late
I have not done any videos because I have lack of funding so I am calling out anyone who wants to work with me, we can do business.”
The Information Technology student believe the sky is the limit as he reflected his ambitions and future plans and where he wants to see himself in five years.
“In five years time I will be Zimbabwe’s next big thing and among Africa’s top ten and the whole world will be knowing about me. I am also working on a label called Zonal Entertainment. I will open it soon and start signing artists and this label will be like Zimbabwean version of Kalawa Jazmee.”
