NHLANHLA SIBONGILE NCIZA - the diva, performer, entrepreneur, mother and trendsetter.
The name Nhlanhla is synonymous with the name Mafikizolo in the music industry. She made a name for herself with the group when it was formed in 1995 and the group became professional two years later. The released seven albums and later made a trend for the formation of other Afro-pop groups in South Africa.
Now Nhlanhla, who has made the big shades not only a fashion statement but a fashion trend for herself, has shown signs of maturity and growth.
Nhlanhla is now releasing her debut solo album titled Inguquko (Change) through TS Records, a respectable company co-owned by her husband Thembinkosi "TK" Nciza and popular radio and TV personality, DJ Sbu Leope.
The album is not just an ordinary project - it's meant to change the music industry - as much as it has changed Nhlanhla's music career. She is also responsible for the fashion brand and clothing range called NN Vintage.
These are clothes she will be doing herself with the help of two designers from Jozi and two others who are still students. The fashion issue started when Nhlanhla decided to have her own way of looking when she was performing with multi award-winning and multi-platinum selling group Mafikizolo. She is known for those big shades, and her parents, especially her mother.
"My mother looks just like me. I used to look at their pictures and decided to use the 50s look which I think was cool. Some people thought I was ridiculous by wearing those sunglasses because of their bigger size.
"I guess I was ahead in terms of fashion. I may not be the first person to come with the style of big shades in SA recently, but I'm probably of the first to make it popular in Mzansi. I'm proud that I was part of the revolution," says Nhlanhla. "Music and fashion go hand in hand. So that's why I make sure that these two match because they compliment each other."
Nhlanhla was not aware of her good looks. She grew up as a shy tomboy. This quickly changed when top designers and tastemakers noticed her exquisite Afro-centric beauty and dubbed her "the 21st century Abigail Kubheka and South Africa's Jackie O".
Nhlanhla is also grateful to God for saving her life after a terrible car and train accident she was involved in, in the year 2000. She says she used to pray every time she went to perform on when she drove, but that accident, which happened in North West province, made her relationship with God to be more closer and tighter.
"I realised after spending four months of recovering that God is great. I also realised that I need to tell people that I love them and not hold grudges because you don't know what might happen tomorrow," says Nhlanhla.
Her new album, which is one hour of pure fun and pleasure is talks about day-today issues - ranging from hardships that we face to love - which brings together people, nations and countries.
Just to show how powerful Nhlanhla's music is - her first radio single Ungowami became an anthem even before the full album was released. During the Durban July holidays and at other festivals where she performed, she showed just how powerful she is and why people love her so much.
She says about people, fans and the respect that she gives to them: "I'm always humble and have respect for my audience. It's not about people who buy my music, but it's about them being my bosses. I respect them because they are my bosses."
The album is not pure Afro-pop, but Nhlanhla has recorded an album that is classical pop, adult contemporary and yet at the same time delivers dance music.
"This album is about hope. The song Mahlalela talks about a man who is struggling to get a job, and people call him names, while the wife is prepared to take care of him. Another, Indoda Ayikhali talks about a man who should not give up on life when things don't go his way," says Nhlanhla.
On the track Babuyile, which has sounds of Kora, Nhlanhla gives a pleasurable performance - and you might even be lost for words when she sings the tune. The song pays tribute to men and women who work on mines - and despite all the dangers they face underground looking for gold - they continue to work and get paid meagre salaries which take care of their extended families.
Nhlanhla features the legendary Nana Coyote on the tune Ithuba Lakho. Apart from showing her song-writing ability by writing most of the songs on the album, Nhlanhla encourages to take over in every opportunity that we get since South Africa has now become a free country. The song Ithuba Lakho (it's your opportunity), she and Coyote say opportunities are galore, so make use of them.
Apart from performing all over the country, touring the African states and entertaining music lovers in overseas countries, Nhlanhla is also the mother of Zinathi - and she says this is a challenge to become a mother and an entertainer at the same time.
"My life as mom and entertainer is really difficult, but I don't complain. I'm married to a Xhosa family and they expect me to cook when I'm home. Even though we have a helper, I still perform my woman duties as a wife and still try to spend quality time with my daughter. I'm happy that I have a husband who also works in the entertainment industry and he understand my work.
"I just felt bad that at one time I didn't see my child when she took her first steps and when she said her first words. Those are important moments in your life when are a parent," she says proudly. "I'm lucky that after finishing school, I joined Mafikizolo, got a child and then got married. This is not easy when you are an artist."
In the album, she also works with radio personality Thabiso Sekwane, who is married to popular DJ Fresh. Thabiso wrote the song Because of You, and Nhlanhla says: "She told me that when I do the song, I will do justice to it. I was honoured that she thought of me so highly."
Even fellow TS Records singer and member of Izinyoka, Sash (real name Mphikeleli Nkabinde) co-wrote the song Thanda Ngalendlela. Nhlanhla features Sash on the song, and the duet is not just brilliant, it's a perfect match of a pantsula vs TS Records First Lady.
Sipho Mbele is one of the prominent producers who assisted in the album. Mbele, an award-winning producer is responsible for the song Uthando Lwakho together with other prominent producers - Robbie Malinga and Mojalefa Thebe. On the track Uhlukile Wena, Malinga, Thebe and Nhlanhla co-wrote the song with Gama Mathonsi.
For more information on Nhlanhla's fashion range NN Vintage and her achievements, please visit her website http://www.nhlanhlan.co.za
TRACKLISTING:
1. IZOPHELA INHLUPHEKO
2. UNGOWAMI
3. ULIBAMBE
4. MAHLALELA
5. UTHANDO LWAKHO
6. ANGIFUNI LUTHO NGAWE
7. ITHUBA LAKHO
8. BABUYILE
9. INDODA AYIKHALI
10. UHLUKILE
11. PLAYED WITH MY HEART
12. THANDA NGALENDLELA
13. BECAUSE OF YOU
|
