Thandiswa Mazwai
Following in the footsteps of artists like Miriam Makeba, Dorothy Masuka and Brenda Fassie, singer and songwriter Thandiswa Mazwai is one of the most popular female musicians in South Africa today. Previously the lead vocalist of award-winning group Bongo Maffin, with whom she played a part in the foundation of the Kwaito music scene, Mazwai has enjoyed a great deal of success since she launched her solo career. She received a Metro FM award for Best Female Vocalist in 2004 after the release of her debut solo album, Zabalaza, an achievement that was followed up in 2005 at the South African Music Awards, where she won the Best Female Artist and Best African Adult Contemporary awards.
During her time with Bongo Maffin, the band recorded four hit albums, combining populist dance floor favourites with thoughtful, poignant lyrics. The band were hugely successful across the world – during their period together Bongo Maffin played with the likes of Chaka Khan, Sean Paul, Stevie Wonder and many others. However, after eight years with the group, Mazwai decided to try her hand at a solo career.
The result of Mazwai’s labour was ‘Zabalaza’, which covered a wide variety of different musical styles, including kwaito, reggae, gospel music, mbaqanga, and Xhosa music. The album’s name was taken from the Xhosa word for ‘rebellion’, and Mazwai certainly caused a stir with the album. Particularly interesting was her approach to recording it – she spent weeks immersing herself in her Xhosa roots, before holding open auditions for up-and-coming musicians to work on the album. This was a risky move that could have gone horribly wrong, but Mazwai’s faith in talent was rewarded, and the album was well received by both critics and public alike. Alongside her personal awards, ‘Zabalaza’ received the Best Produced Album trophy at the 2005 South African Music Awards, even though it was not officially released until February 2006.
After a couple of years of international touring, Mazwai returned to the studio in 2009 to record her second solo album, ‘Ibokwe’. Like ‘Zabalaza’, the album was a fusion of a variety of different genres including folk and jazz, and even featured a collaboration with legendary South African trumpet player Hugh Masekela on the track, ‘Ingoma’. An instant hit, ‘Ibokwe’ achieved Gold sales status in South Africa only six weeks after its release.
Like a select few female musicians who have gone before her, Thandiswa Mazwai has become a role model for young African women, and is often referred to as the Miriam Makeba – or ‘Mama Africa’ – of her generation. After performing at the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup in June 2010, her music may now find its way to a wider audience. If it does so, nobody can say that Mazwai doesn’t deserve it.
