Afro-soul singer Malizole Fololo is off to Amsterdam next week for the Kwaku Festival, which will honour the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela. The festival is a traditional gathering focused on bringing people and cultures together for a combination of food, drink, dance and sport. The four-week-long festival will be held at the Nelson Mandela Park in Amsterdam Zudioost.
The Eastern Cape will also get an opportunity to showcase their own talent, with Fololo being one of the musicians who will perform.
He was invited by the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC). The 28-year-old Mthatha-born singer said he has never felt pressured to sing or write his music in any other language but Xhosa. “I knew I wanted to perform traditional music in my vernacular.
“My culture is very important to me, and if there was a way I could keep my roots watered, all the better,” he said.
When he first started music, Fololo said a lot of people told him singing in Xhosa would limit him.
“There is always this pressure of artists wanting to sing in English but I never fell for that. I am passionate about my language. If I had switched to English, I wouldn’t be going to Amsterdam now,” he said.
Fololo said his dream was to see future generations speaking and singing proudly in their own home languages.
The Ikwezi township singer has written and recorded with the likes of Theo from Mafikizolo, gospel great Rebecca Malope, Robbie Malinga and Siphokazi.
He said if it was not for his supportive family, he would not have made it this far.
“I remain indebted to my grandfather and grandmother. “I am grateful for their guidance, and to my mom and aunts too for their ongoing support, love and understanding for my passion.” Fololo’s debut album Iphupha Lam was released last year.
The album features well-known producer Robbie Malinga and Lusikisiki-born singing sensation Siphokazi Maraqana.
His single from the album, iXesha Lokonwaba, earned him airplay from radio stations all over the country.
“My lyrics are a refection of who I am. Tracks from Iphupha Lam have very powerful messages in all of them, and it is my hope each song offers listeners something that will add value to their lives,” he said.
He also said he hoped his music would also inspire many others to embrace their home languages.
“When I write my music I make sure I use proper isiXhosa. I don’t write mediocre Xhosa, this is for future generations,” he said.
Fololo and the Eastern Cape delegation leave for Amsterdam next week on Thursday. The festival starts on July 18 and runs until August 9. Fololo said they would be returning home on July 21. — poliswa-p-@dispatch.co.za
Mthatha-born singer to jet off to Amsterdam
The Eastern Cape will also get an opportunity to showcase their own talent, with Fololo being one of the musicians who will perform.
He was invited by the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC). The 28-year-old Mthatha-born singer said he has never felt pressured to sing or write his music in any other language but Xhosa. “I knew I wanted to perform traditional music in my vernacular.
“My culture is very important to me, and if there was a way I could keep my roots watered, all the better,” he said.
When he first started music, Fololo said a lot of people told him singing in Xhosa would limit him.
“There is always this pressure of artists wanting to sing in English but I never fell for that. I am passionate about my language. If I had switched to English, I wouldn’t be going to Amsterdam now,” he said.
Fololo said his dream was to see future generations speaking and singing proudly in their own home languages.
The Ikwezi township singer has written and recorded with the likes of Theo from Mafikizolo, gospel great Rebecca Malope, Robbie Malinga and Siphokazi.
He said if it was not for his supportive family, he would not have made it this far.
“I remain indebted to my grandfather and grandmother. “I am grateful for their guidance, and to my mom and aunts too for their ongoing support, love and understanding for my passion.” Fololo’s debut album Iphupha Lam was released last year.
The album features well-known producer Robbie Malinga and Lusikisiki-born singing sensation Siphokazi Maraqana.
His single from the album, iXesha Lokonwaba, earned him airplay from radio stations all over the country.
“My lyrics are a refection of who I am. Tracks from Iphupha Lam have very powerful messages in all of them, and it is my hope each song offers listeners something that will add value to their lives,” he said.
He also said he hoped his music would also inspire many others to embrace their home languages.
“When I write my music I make sure I use proper isiXhosa. I don’t write mediocre Xhosa, this is for future generations,” he said.
Fololo and the Eastern Cape delegation leave for Amsterdam next week on Thursday. The festival starts on July 18 and runs until August 9. Fololo said they would be returning home on July 21. — poliswa-p-@dispatch.co.za
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