The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube recently in Johannesburg, South Africa
THE s on of a king is a nobody in a foreign land, so goes an African saying but the opposite could be true for local musician, Mr Prince whose stock has been slowly rising in the South African music industry. His inclusion in the lineup at one of South Africa’s top arts festivals meant to celebrate Africa Day has elevated him a notch higher. Mr Prince was part of the
music act that brought down the curtain at the multi-disciplinary Sanaa Africa Festival that ran from 25 to 28 May at St Stithians College in Sandton and involved artistes from across Africa to celebrate the continent’s creatives.
The Mawabeni, Matabeleland South-born singer added to the spirit of celebrating Africa as his backing band is cosmopolitan, being made up of Nigerians, South Africans and Zimbabweans.
Mr Prince, born Sibonginkosi Tshabalala, led a cast of several Zimbabweans that took part in the festival including Tumbuka dancer, McIntosh Janure, who put on a solo act, and young filmmaker, Denise Khumalo whose documentary, Khaya Lami, My Home was showcased.
The festival, in its fifth year, has arts genres that include music, film, visual art, theatre, dance and poetry.
The music show was held last Saturday evening and Mr Prince was the opening act in performances that also had the legendary Mango Groove, house sensation, Liquideep, Delivery Boys and DJ Pepsie.
Although a modest crowd thronged the venue, maybe due to location, Mr Prince led the musicians in delivering exhilarating performances that were backed by a superb sound system and exquisite stage.
The jazz artiste came on stage just after the sun set and gave the audience a taste of what is to come when he sampled two, yet-to-be named tracks that will feature in his forthcoming album, ‘‘Mixed Feelings’’ due for release next month and then performed songs from his previous album Ngilamulela including the title track, the fast-paced Ndwenwe, Hama Yangu, Memories and Vet en Set.
He also performed ‘‘Africa’’ an apt tune that is sang in several African languages and fitted the occasion as it celebrates the continent.
“As for the track ‘Africa’, I do not think there is any African who does not believe we have to unite if our continent is to progress and I am sure such songs can bring us closer as a people,” said the Durban-based Mr Prince of the tune ‘‘Africa’’.
Members of his backing group included Kevin James Okpokojobi on bass, John Aina Adetoli who plays the saxophone while Osinachi Nwazor Chukudwi was on first keyboard and on drums there was Shayo Aribilola all of whom are from Nigeria. South African, Moloko Kgomo was on the lead guitar and fellow countryman, Benvolio Malumane played the second keyboard and Zimbabwean, Mavis Mutematsaka provided the backing vocals.
Mr Prince, who is also a businessman, took the opportunity to preach against the xenophobia scourge while on stage, urging South Africans to accept other Africans as their brothers and sisters.
The Sanna Festival is run by a Zimbabwean based in South Africa, Nonhlanhla Matshazi.
Tshabalala released his first album in 2013 which was published by Sheer Music, and included collaborations with world renowned Zimbabwean dub poet Albert Nyathi and Nigerian guitarist Kunle Ayo.
Mr Prince’s music career dates back to when he was in primary school when he started reading musical notes. He went on to captain his high school choir at Pumula High School in Bulawayo, which won the regional schools choir competition in 1985. He led a number of quartets and choirs in the Seventh Day Adventist Church but his love for musical instruments led him to join Flaming Souls Band at Apostolic Faith Mission in Pumula East together with Goodwill Dlamini, who now plays lead guitar for South African diva, Yvonne Chaka Chaka.
When he moved to South Africa, he dumped music but after meeting up with Dlamini and Robert Zimba in that country, they decided to form a group called African Life. Although the duo later left, he trudged on and decided to come up with his own compositions.
