Nkosie Tjilimwe; Another Superstar From Sigangatsha Area

They say memory is a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose. That is why the music genre I grew up not only listening to but frantically dancing to, is still stuck in my memory with the vividity as clear as a crystal pokemon episode. That genre is affectionately known as Khalanga Rhumba.

I still got fond childhood memories living in the Sigangatsha area of Kezi. I remember, waking up early in the morning on Christmas days, the faint cool kiss of sensuality when dew came onto my cheeks and shins as I pace down the wet green grass paths in the early morning, heading towards the neighbouring village to borrow some Solomon Skuza and Ndux Malax records. We called those round 45rpm records, imiganu or amarecords.

We could dance the night away, kicking very fast and causing a hailstorm of dust. I loved it when those songs could suddenly change the rhythm and start moving fast. We used to say ingoma isingene esikokotsheni or isifike emasimbeni. Little did we know that each day of their lives, these legends made deposits in the memory banks of their children. As goes the saying, the values we live by are worth more when we pass them on.
It was after Ndux and Skuza that a wholly new generation of musicians was born.

I am now in the 21st century, year 2012. I settle down to listen to a new kid on the block, Nkosie Tjilimwe's album. The guy may still be a greenhorn in the music industry but without any shred of doubt, this is the man who, through music, will give voice to the voiceless and through dance he will pass on courage to the faint of heart.

By dint of vision, and determination, and most of all faith in the redeeming power of music, like his predecessors, Nkosie will finally be an inspiration to a younger generation in the beautiful Sigangatsha area, to transform itself, and begin to live up to the meaning of its creed. Prove me wrong in 5 years time.

Skuza and Ndux were like the biblical Moses, they never lived to see the young generation they so much inspired. They were gone too soon, and hopefully it won't be the same avenue with the likes of Nkosie and Ndux Junior.

But hailing from the rural Sigangatsha, Ndux Malax pointed the way for the likes of velvet voiced Ndux Junior, his son, as well as our protagonist today, the promising Nkosie Tjilimwe.

The present Sigangatsha is an area no longer torn asunder with ethnic strife once characterised by the Gukurahundi invasions. So through music, it is now a land with a spirit of brotherhood. No more dark cumulonimbus clouds hovering over their heads.

I met up with the talented Nkosie Tjilimwe for an informal chat. Those who have read my articles will testify that sometimes I tend to talk too much for the musicians. This time I am going to give the platform to my interviewee to tell us any thing about themselves-music wise.

"My name is Nkosie Tjilimwe and the band's name is called Abakhokheli. NKOSIE TJILIMWE NABAKHOKHELI. I was born in Kezi koSgangatsha. I am based in South Africa and I recorded at K B studios.

I started singing since I was very young, sometimes chillaxing  at home with my family after supper when we would sing and dance, and my family members always told me, ‘Nkosie, one day you will become a great singer. At primary school I was in the choir and together with my classmates we formed an imbube singing group which carried on until we completed our O levels.

I love music and telling stories a lot. So that is the reason why I chose to sing. I study and observe things happening around me and the best way to comment on what I see and feel is through music.

Jah! My new album is entitled Uzothanda bani? It is a seven track hot album. Every track is well arranged and anyone who has bought it has nothing but  praise for the job well done.

Iyathengwa yona kodwa I have no distributors at the moment, so it is kind difficult ukufinyelela kubo bonke abalandeli. Get it from me, all tracks are hot . Ngicula ngezinto ezenzakala emphakathini nezinto abantu abahlangabezana nazo empilweni.
Track List

1.     Ukukhula kwakho.  I just thought about abantwana abazimiselayo empilweni ngabona ukuthi ukuze bakhuthazeke kufanele sibancome.

2.     Umntanami: I was talking about orphans who have who leads their everyday lives without parents and are usually victims of ill- treatment from step parents especially when the father figure is away.
 
3.     Banomona.: This song is about the tragic death of my mother  who died in Botswana in an accident involving a police vehicle beboshelwe amapasi.

4.     Uzothanda bani? This one sympathises with our beautiful sisters who are finding it difficult to land their Mr Right or Umaqondana.

5.    Ngizobuya: bengikhuluma ngomuntu osuke ethembise abazali ukuthi uzofike asebenze abasapote kodwa afike ahlupheke angawutholi umsebenzi.

6.    usungijikele: bengibheke abafowethu abasemajele kodwa uthole amakhosikazi awo ephatha budlabha impahla zendoda njalo engasaziphathanga akhohlwe yile ndoda ebimenzela konke. This song made it to the Afrodeepradio top 20 and please keep voting for it.

7.    Mamelang.: Through this track, I am telling intsha yanamuhla to listen to their parents so that they do not regret the choices they make in life. The song also teaches society about the dangers of the deadly HIV and AIDS problem.
 
I got my inspiration from the late NDUX MALAX. I admired his creativity, his beat and most importantly his voice. The guy was a genius ingoma zakhe bezinomndlandla.

I started practising ngingedwa then I bought some musical instruments. Later on ngafuna abantu abakwazi ukudlala ama instruments sasesiqala iband. We are hoping to get a gig soon but as singenayo ipromoter kunzima. We are ready uma singayithola singajabula kakhulu.

I practice twice a week, 5 to 6 hours per session.

Kunzima but I make up time for it. I do my washing and cleaning at night so that I make up time for my practice sessions the next day. I practice during my off days.

Umculo wami yiKalanga rhumba. In 5 years l would like to see myself performing around Africa and even overseas. I am not competing with anyone. I am just doing my own style and I have no pressure.

 If sonke besinikezwa the same platform bekuzoba lula kodwa kunzima kithi abasha ngoba we have to prove ukuthi we have what it takes before these big companies can sign us. Nokubambana akukho kubaculi bakithi yikho okwenza icompetition ibe tough. I do seek advice from abaculi abanye especially Dalas, Allen nakumkhaya wami uJunior.

Ngiyabonga, Toboka Keyaleboha"

To inquire about Nkosie Tjilimwe's new hot album, search for Nkosie Tjilimwe on facebook or email thabondlovu86@yahoo.co.uk.

Titshabona Malaba Ncube is a Masters student in Town Planning at Newcastle University. He holds an Honours Degree in Town Planning, and a post graduate Diploma in Planning Law and a BA Degree from the University of Zimbabwe. He is the author of the Ndebele novel Igazi Labafo viewed and sold at http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/160292
 

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