He is a music icon, a storyteller and a custodian of his heritage, who has captivated audiences across the globe. On 1 December, musician and culture icon, Mbuso Khoza is set to showcase his latest jazz album titled Ifa LoMkhono, produced by award-winning Dr Nduduzo Makhathini. "I am so thrilled to be given this opportunity to play some of my new songs," Khoza tells ZiMoja. "This would be the first time I'm performing songs from the Shaka iLembe TV series. I am also going to be joined on stage by Nonka, performing her song Izintuthwane. She has a very popular voice, we are going to do something very special together. My brother, Bekezela, will be sharing his songs and of course, IJadu le Afrika, a 16-piece choir has come up from KwaZulu."
A RICH HISTORY
Born in Eshowe in the North of KwaZulu-Natal, his musical journey began at a young age with his greatest ancestor Ntshingwayo kaMahole Khoza, a general commander of the historic Battle of Isandwala. "That's how I got inspired to focus on the culture and the music that is indigenous," Mbuso says. Beyond the music, he is a cultural ambassador and educator and is committed to promoting the beauty of African music and heritage.
LIVING IN THE STREETS
He says once he had decided that he would pursue his musical dream, he left home and travelled to Johannesburg. "Getting into Johannesburg at the age of 21 was very difficult for me because of the language barrier," he said. "Being born in the very deep rural area of Eshowe, coming to meet the different melting pot of cultures really changed my life." While pursuing his dream, he struggled to make ends meet. He says it was difficult at first. as he was sleeping under a bridge in Newtown, next to Bassline, which was known as Mega Music at the time. "I had no money which meant finding food on the streets, leftovers from kitchens, so it was tough for me to understand the psychology of the biggest multi-racial city of Johannesburg," he adds. What made him leave home was the scarcity of opportunities in his region. There was a shortage of artists, mentors, producers and recording studios. Johannesburg was the music hub because that's where you would meet people from all over the world," he says, adding that moving to Joburg changed his life."Being there made me strong and shaped my thinking and helped me to fight for what I believed and not compromise on the dream," he adds.
THE SA MUSIC INDUSTRY
According to Khoza, the biggest challenge the South African music industry is facing is a lack of unity. "I wish for us to go to the very core of who we are," he says, adding that, " I think we really need to try to exercise unity as musicians so that we have one voice in what we really want to achieve for our country culturally and historically in the manner that we envision our culture and heritage using these skills that we have. but it seems that at the moment we are failing to come together," he concluded.
