MASKANDI artist Xolani “Shilisi” Langa is back at school and living his life-long dream.
Shilisi has been in the music industry for more than 20 years.
“The last time I attended school was in the 1990s. I’m now back doing grade 11. I’m 38 and I don’t regret my decision. When I pass matric, I want to study to be a lawyer,” he said.
He is a pupil at Bongumenzi Secondary School in Nquthu, KZN.
Shilisi said it had always been his wish to go back to school.
“My first few days have been difficult. A lot of things have changed and I have to adapt to the new set-up. I’ve also been asked to cut my dreadlocks but this is going to be hard because I have an ancestral calling, so I can’t cut my hair,” he said.
Though he was by far the oldest pupil at school, he said kids were excited to have a maskandi artist among them.
“During the first few days they were peeping at me through the windows. They spent lunch breaks taking photos with me.”
He said this was his chance to finally pursue his dream of becoming a lawyer.
“I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer but I had to drop out because my parents were struggling financially. I had to start working at an early age,” he said, adding that he would continue to work for Mthandeni “Igcokama Elisha” Manqele as a dancer.
“I have the advantage of being a grown-up. I know what I want as well as my priorities. I won’t stop working, but I’ll make sure that my school work is not affected.”
Igcokama Elisha said he was aware that Shilisi had gone back to school.
“I respect his decision. I wish maskandi artists can learn from him. When it comes to school, age is nothing but a number. I’ll also make sure that he studies hard.”
