“Maskandi deserves respect”

He strums an ordinary guitar, wears traditional Zulu attire and comes from Illovo in KwaZulu-Natal. Woody Aroun and Bonga Ngwane spoke to Phuzekhemisi, the king of Maskandi about his life and music

Tell us a little about yourself? Where were you born and did you always grow up in Illovo? My name is Phuzekhemisi Mnyandu. I was born in Umkomaas, kwa Dumisa, in a village called Enspheni. I grew up like all other rural boys. I looked after my father’s cattle and did everything that rural boys were expected to do, taking care of the farm and the household. I often had to fight with the other boys for the cow liver. I came from a poor family and there was very little opportunity to acquire an education. But I did have some schooling, the equivalent of Grade 3. I spent most of my youth working. At the age of 13, I started working for a farmer and then later moved to Durban North where I worked for a further two years. In 1979 I moved to Johannesburg.

How did you get the name Phuzekhemisi? I got the name while working in a furniture shop in Johannesburg. They did not want to keep cold water for us to drink (phuza). So I visited the nearest chemist (khemisi) to get water to drink … so my friends called me Phuzekhemisi. This is the name I used when recording my CDs.

What influenced you to become a musician?I come from a family that loves music. When we were young my brother and I used homemade guitars and played music. I was part of a group of boys and my father and brother used to lead us in music. When my father passed away I took over the lead. In 1981 my brother and I joined the Ngubane family of musicians in Johannesburg. The group was called Special Five. We worked very well with them and in 1985 I recorded my very first album called Phuzekhemisi No Khethane. After my first release my brother and I then parted from the group. By that time we felt mature enough and able to manage on our own.

Maskandi? What is Maskandi? Maskandi is the popular name for Zulu traditional music and is deeply rooted in the Zulu culture. Maskandi musicians sing about everything and anything to promote the Zulu language and culture … the purpose is to keep our traditional music alive for future generations because it is through the medium of music that we are able to popularise our culture and values.

People say that your songs have a strong message, critical of our social surroundings, yet they inspire hope for a better future. How do you feel about this? As musicians we are poets. We sing about social issues that we observe so that those issues get special attention by the relevant authorities or individuals. One of my CDs is titled Amakhansela (Councillors). I was referring to the poor service delivery even after people had voted. That CD became popular because people bought it and played it for their councillors in order to shake them up.

After releasing you album titled Local Government you were criticized by the former Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Lionel Mtshali, because you were perceived to be discouraging people from voting. Is this true? No! No! I was not saying that people should not vote. I was referring to my observation with regard to service delivery. As a poet I believe I have a right to sing about what I see and I request politicians not to interfere with what we preach. They should give us space to entertain the people of South Africa so that we become self supportive.

You are very popular in KwaZulu-Natal. Do you enjoy the same support in the other provinces and South Africa as a whole? True. KZN is the number one province when it comes to support. However, people in the other provinces do buy my CDs – this is evident on the computer system where one can see the number of CDs that are sold in the country, and the location of sale.

You have performed in a number of overseas countries. Were you well received? Yes, yes, more than anywhere else. When we were there we were treated like kings and queens and the support is wonderful … they simply enjoy our music. I have performed in almost all the major European capitals, even in Washington. The international audience loved us very much and we appreciate their support and urge fellow South Africans to continue supporting us.

How many CDs have you produced? I have produced 16 albums since 1988.

Do you think that Maskandi music is widely recognized in SA? Maskandi music does not enjoy the type of recognition that it deserves. The main stream radio stations are not playing our music as much as they play other forms of music. SABC 1 has done away with the Maskandi Program (Ezodumo). This is an indication that very little is being done to play our music. We felt neglected during the SAMA awards for 2006. I won but was not shown on national television like the other musicians. They decided to go on ad break without showing me receiving my award. We had a serious concern and later requested a meeting with SABC to explain their bias for the other musicians.

Which of your albums do you think are the most successful? Imbizo (Gathering), Injayami (my dog) and Amakhansela (Councillors) have proved to be very successful – they are my favourites.

What are your future plans? How do you plan to sustain your music? I am prepared to stay with my recording company Gallo Music until I die. Over and above that I have produced at least seven young musicians – Nyonemhlope (Whitebird), Phathekile and Nonkasha to name a few. But when I was their age I was very popular. Now I have to find a balance between my music and a few small business interests, just so that I can sustain an income and provide for my family. But I am passionate about my music and Maskandi will always be a part of me.

Woody Aroun and Bonga Ngwane are Numsa officials in KZN. Phuzekhemisi was interviewed in isiZulu, this is a translation. This interview first appeared in the South African Labour Bulletin, Volume 30 Number 3, August/September 2006.

Lyrics from the song Amakhansela

Ohulumeni bangakithi angeke siphinde sibavotelaOhulumeni bamakhansela angeke siphinde sibavoteleIntuthuko ayikho kulendawo, angeke siphinde sibavotele,

Ohulumeni bezifundazwe angeke siphinde sibavotele, intuthuko ayikhoOhulumeni basekhaya angeke siphinde sibavotele

“Nathi nizokwakha izibhedlela, nakhe namaClinics, Nemigwaqo ayikho, benzani abantu bakithi eSouth Africa”.

Translation

We will never vote for the same local government again. They aren’t useful There is still no development in our area.

You said that you’ll build hospitals and clinics, but that has not been doneYou also promised to do road construction but we still have to walk long distances on bad roads