A music event in Kayamandi, called the Maskandi Music, is set to go take place on 4 December with the goal of promoting and celebrating local and traditional music.
This is according to Wiseman Ndamase, the master of ceremonies (MC) for the event.
“[This event] is so important. This type of music tends to be tribal music but when you are out there it gives you an experience. You then start to realise that these are [local] people who are professional and talented,” said Ndamase.
The Maskandi Music event that will be hosted at Emalahleni Tavern, Kayamandi, on 4 December will boast up to 10 local acts that will promote local and traditional music, according to Wiseman Ndamase, the master of ceremonies (MC) for the Maskandi Music event. PHOTO: Supplied/Wiseman Ndamase
The over-18 event, which has been organised by the community, will be hosted at Emalahleni Tavern in Kayamandi from 10 am to 4 pm, according to Ndamase. It is also aiming to become the turning point whereby the local music becomes more than just “tribal” or “traditional” music, but also a professional and viable business, he said.
“What we are looking for is to have this type of music recognised as professional music […] this music is no longer just tribal music, it is a business itself,” said Ndamase.
Not only will the event promote local talent and music, but it will also aim to educate children and the elderly, according to Wiseman Ndamase, the master of ceremonies (MC) for the Maskandi Music event. The music hopes to invite the community to change their current lifestyle in a positive way, said Ndamase. AUDIO: James Cameron Heron
Not only does the event want people to start recognising the music as professional, but also music that people can relate to and be inspired by, according to Sabel Tolbard, manager of the Abanqobi Bezizwe music group who will be performing at the event.
“It is not traditional music, we call it Maskande Music. The music is traditional music that has a strong message for our people, most specifically if you have a problem at home or in your personal life. By coming to the event […] we want to give hope to the people,” said Tolbard.
The group, originating from the Eastern Cape, was formed in 2018 and will be performing live for the first time since South Africa’s first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, according to Tolbard.
Having dropped their first album Vumani in 2018, the Abanqobi Bezizwe music group planned to release another in 2020, but because of the pandemic, they were unable, according to Sabel Tolbard, manager of the Abanqobi Bezizwe music group. Since the lockdown, the group has been unable to perform live and the Maskandi Music event will be their first opportunity to do so since then. AUDIO: James Cameron Heron
“It is very important. It is going to be our first event since the lockdown,” said Tolbard. “My group is very excited to perform. We have been waiting for this for a long time and we are ready for it.”
According to Ndamase, the musicians at the festival will begin to write music that is educational and positive for social change.
“[The artists] must start to think about and write music that is going to be interesting as well as educational for young ones and older people to learn. [It is also] just for the society to begin to change and not just have music for fun, but the need is that it is going to inspire change into our lifestyles,” said Ndamase.
The Maskandi Music event is soon to host music that will be both interesting and educational for people old and young, according to Wiseman Ndamase, the master of ceremonies (MC) for the Maskandi Music event. “[It is also] just for the society to begin to change and not just have music for fun, but the need is that it is going to inspire change into our lifestyles,” he said. FOOTAGE: Supplied/Wiseman Ndamase, VIDEO: James Cameron Heron
Having moved from the Eastern Cape to Nyanga, and not being able to perform for over a year, Abanqobi Bezizwe’s bass guitarist and producer, Mzuyeza Sam, also known as Soundmind, works as a real estate agent in duality with his music.
“I started learning guitar in the late ’90s and recorded my first album in 2016, my first group album in 2018, and my second solo album in November 2020,” said Sam. “I am a self-taught bassist, keyboardist, and producer.”