Show celebrating Xhosa songs comes home to EL
Peddie-born singer aims to promote African music
To commemorate Africa Month in May, Eastern Cape afro-soul singer, Dumza Maswana, will host a show at the Guild Theatre next month.
Maswana said his Celebrating African Song Tour had been well-received in Johannesburg and naturally he wanted to bring it back to his home fans. “The reality is that my music is inspired by the Eastern Cape and the people of the province.
“Coming home with this tour is only fitting,” Maswana said.
Celebrating African Song Tour is a show Maswana is pride of, as it promotes the use of African language in music.
The Peddie-born singer, who serenaded music lovers with his latest album Molo, celebrates his Xhosa heritage through his music. “What better way to kickstart Africa Month [than] with a performance that celebrates African song?
“Anyone who follows my music will know that I sing in Xhosa and what I try to do with my music is to promote the language and its use, as well as to develop it.”
Maswana said it was high time traditional African songs regained their popularity on the South African music scene.
“There is nothing wrong with how we sing. Our music used to be commercial music. But now when you say commercial music in South Africa, you find that it is American music.
“When you listen to radio stations and their playlist, you hear mostly American music.
“Our sound and our music is not commercial enough and that does not make sense to me,” said Maswana.
He said it was important to take pride in one’s heritage and celebrate musicians who sing in their mother tongue. “The way that we have been taught is that there is something wrong with our sound, but there is nothing wrong at all.
“People like Stompie Mavi were only celebrated after they had died.
“With this show, I want to say that this generation can do it. We can promote African languages in music without feeling ‘uncool’,” said the singer.
Music lovers can expect an “interactive” performance from Maswana and his guest performers.
“The audience will hear familiar folklore songs sang at weddings and iimigidi [initiation homecoming].
“We will take those songs and add jazz elements.
“We are all going to sing,” said an excited Maswana.
He said he would include songs from some fallen South African music legends.
“This will include music from Mama Madosini, Stompie Mavi and Mama uNofinishi Dwili. “I will borrow some of their songs and use jazz as the canvas to paint everything that I would like to show the audience,” Maswana said.
Celebrating African Song Tour will feature Ntsika, a member of the South African award-winning group, The Soil.
Eastern Cape rising star Odwa Nokwali will also perform, among other artists.
The show will be at the Guild Theatre on May 3...
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