FIVE times Grammy award-winners scathamiya group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, broke all music boundaries when it took the genre overseas and scooped awards.
Mambazo broke boundaries again by discovering two female scathamiya groups, Africa Mamas and Meduduetsane Basadi, that sing the genre, known only for men.
The groups were part of the nine discovered by Ladysmith Black Mambazo mobile academy, started two years ago to empower and mentor artists.
Groups discovered by Black Mambazo were launched in the virtual concert held at Wushwini Art Centre, where they shared the stage on Wednesday, 18 August.
Black Mambazo also recorded a mass GBV awareness song titled Asibavikele, featuring the groups it discovered.
Co-leader Sibongiseni Shabalala told SunBuzz that they were proud to break boundaries and discover women who were singing scathamiya, like them.
“Travelling overseas to perform, many people asked why women did not sing the genre. We had to explain that it started in the mines when men were working, and others managed to sing with soft voices like women. Now all that is over. We want more women to sing scathamiya,” he said.
Meduduetsane Basadi leader, Pulane Jantjies from Northern Cape, said that they felt honoured to be discovered by Black Mambazo, and get a chance to learn and record with the group during the master classes.
“We started our group five years ago, and music is our only way to put bread on the table. After meeting Black Mambazo, we know we are going far,” she said.
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Africa Mamas leader, Ntombi Lushaba from Durban, said that they were humbled to be discovered.
“We started our group in 1998, and have released five albums so far. We also travelled overseas with the help of Black Mambazo, but we also learnt many things about music,” she said.
Black Mambazo manager Xolani Majozi said they visited Gauteng, KZN, Free State, Northern Cape, Mpumalanga and Limpopo to run workshops, masterclasses and seminars, including music business for the discovered artists.
“It’s the responsibility of the group to ensure that these activities continue, and artists discovered are given a chance to perform in festivals hosted by Ladysmith Black Mambazo. And not only in Mzansi, but wherever the group is performing around the world,” he said.
Other groups discovered included Botshabelo Sunrise, Ditengteng, Nkunzemnyama, Nongoma Abafana Bentuthuko and Mzamo Young Boys.
