Last month, iSupport Creative Business launched its first exhibition of new work that aimed to commemorate, showcase and bring the story of some of the unique musical heritage of KwaZulu-Natal to life.
As part of this exhibition, supported by Concerts SA, Umongo Msindo will host uDloko player Zulu and uMakhweyane player and vocalist Zawadi Yamungu in concert on April 29 at 18h00 at the Luthuli Museum in Groutville.
Ahead of the concert, the curators, Marlyn Ntsele and Mzwandile Ntsele, will host a walk-about of the exhibition.
(Left: Zawadi Yamungu. Pic by Hugh Mdlalose)
Zawadi Yamungu is a South African indigenous musician born in Mandeni, north of KwaZulu-Natal.
This international artist started singing in church and then later studied Acting, Dancing & Music, which has contributed to enhancing her career as an artist. Umakhweyane, Ugubhu string bow, and Penny Whistle are musical instruments she passionately plays, complimented by her strong vocal.
Having been mentored by the renowned Mbuso Khoza, Yamungu has also worked with Dr Gcina Mhlophe, Madala Kunene, Themba Mkhize, Nduduzo Makhathini and other legends.
Zulu, who resides in Ficksburg, has played uDloko for most of his life, having spent most of his young life cow-herding instead of schooling. Zulu not only plays uDloko, but he also makes the instrument from scratch. He is passionate about his music and enjoys that uDloko is an instrument that, in his words, doesn’t discriminate against or is not limiting to anyone.
uMongo Msindo is a multi-fold undertaking that is in equal parts archival and exhibitionary. It works against a globally flattened culture where speed is currency and context amiss.
Working within the boundary of KwaZulu-Natal, it considers ‘hyper locality’ as a tool to disrupt the conditions of ‘internationalism’. It invites audiences and custodians of age-old music traditions on a sojourn of music-making and consumption, with a particular focus on the relationship between player and instrument. Both entities conjoin to form a vessel that transmits sound, heritage and frequencies.
The five protagonists of this undertaking are amongst some of the oldest instrument players in the region. They liberate overlooked narratives through six instruments from the comfort of their homes through their personal histories. This installation brings musicians into conversations with their instruments through videos, textiles that function as interactive wall pieces and a QR portal that expands on their work - all presented via a mobile museum structure.
Concerts SA is a joint South African/Norwegian project working with musicians, promoters, venues and institutions. The project aims to grow a viable live music circuit and develop audiences in South Africa and the region. It is supported by the Norwegian Embassy Pretoria and SAMRO, and administered by IKS Cultural Consulting (formerly by SAMRO Foundation).
The concert takes place on April 29 at the Luthuli Museum in Groutville, Durban. Doors open at 18h00 with a walkabout at 18h30 and the concert itself at 19h30. Tickets: R50 on Webtickets and at the door:
Bookings: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/Event.aspx?itemid=1514377521
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