LEGENDARY DJ and former Ukhozi FM station manager Welcome “Bhodloza” Nzimande has spoken out against maskandi fights.
Bhodloza, who gave maskandi a lot of airplay on Ukhozi FM in the 1980s, said warring artists needed to make peace with each other.
He said musicians should stop provoking each other in their songs as it causes fights among their fans.
He was speaking at the Izingqongqo Live concert at the Ekhaya Multi-Arts Centre in KwaMashu, north of Durban, on Friday evening.
He was especially referring to the recent fight between fans of Mthandeni Manqele and Khuzani Mpungose at the Inqokotho Maskandi Festival in Durban last month, which led to two deaths.
Bhodloza said he had fought for maskandi music to be recognised, and he didn’t want his legacy to be killed.
“If maskandi artists don’t stop provoking each other, they will be broke because no fans will want to go to shows knowing they might die,” he said.
Bhodloza said he had ended fights involving Mgqumeni Khumalo, Mtshengiseni Gcwensa, Thokozani Langa, Bhekumuzi Luthuli and Ali Mgube. When called by Daily Sun for comment, Khuzani said he would stop fighting.
“I agree with Bhodloza. As artists we must stop provoking each other because it kills our fans. After the death of maskandi fans during the Inqokotho festival, I wish that all maskandi artists could stop this war of words because it is not helping us anymore,” he said.
Mthandeni said: “I respect Baba Bhodloza very much. It makes me happy to know that he also wants the violence to end. I don’t know how it got this far in the first place. I also want the conflict to end. I’m free and ready to meet with Khuzani. He can contact my office and he will find me here.”
