BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
MBABANE– To say Eswatini is rich with talent is an understatement.
If the recent win of a local LiSwati in a massive opera singing competition abroad was anything to go by, it’s safe to say there are other talented opera singers who thanks to Nelisa Lawton of Jazz Gallery who has brought together musicians and unearthed pure talent at its best with forming Sisonke Kollektiv. We spotted the duo on Friday at the Standard Bank Luju Food and Lifestyle Festival launch, which was held at Malandelas.
The dynamic who performed were; Tengesihle Mimi Gwebu (24) and Celumusa “Ceceboy” Mkhatshwa. They gave the guests a taste of their talent when they took to the stage to serenade the audience with a beautiful rendition of the song titled Say you love me.
We caught up with the duo and this is what they had to say.
Tengesihle Mimi Gwebu
Tell us more about yourself.
I spent most of my childhood in Ngwane Park and sometimes in Mafutseni at my maternal homestead. I started singing when I was still at primary school but considered music as a career at age 21, in 2021.
I went to Manzini Nazarene High School and studied my tertiary at the Southern Africa Nazarene University.
Have you recorded your music yet?
I plan on recording my music sooner than later.
Have you participated in competitions before?
My God, yes, a few. I have joined the Standard Bank solo music competitions and the Ntjilo Ntjilo Music Festival.
When did you join Sisonke Kollektiv?
I joined Sisonke Kollektiv early this year. It has several members who vary in different age groups.
Is opera music in the country recognised and appreciated, in your own words?
Well, opera arias can be challenging in a lot of different ways: the range, the lyrics, the element of individuality expected of the singer, all combine to make many operatic arias some of the challenging songs to sing, which makes me draw conclusion that it’s not as appreciated as id love it to be.
Opera Music in the country is appreciated by only a few people which in actual fact not many of them have endless love for it. I’d love to see the number of opera fanatics grow enormously, looking at the number of emaSwati going abroad for Opera though, it will soon come to life.
Advice to aspiring musicians
Always keep your head high! Continue to work on improving your musical skills, whether it’s refining your singing technique or learning about music theory. Make sure to find your unique sound.Constant improvement is key; they should always keep that in mind.
Where can people reach you if they want to book you?
People can book me through Floewe or contact me directly on 76570782 / 79324656 or via Nelisa Lawton on 7603 2897.
Celumusa “Ceceboy” Mkhatshwa
Tell us more about yourself?
I’m from Elwandle in the south part of Manzini. I am a Salesian High School alumni. I studied Film and Television Production at Limkokwing University of Technology. I started singing at a very tender age, and I was still in primary school.
Have you recorded your music yet?
I have not recorded any original songs, but I have recorded covers, which are found on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok at “Ceceboy94
Tell us more about Sisonke Kollektiv.
Sisonke Kollektiv is an initiative started by Nelisa Lawton to bring musicians of different genres together to form a band that will be inclusive and the best she can find. Sisonke Kollektiv is the new band to support and look out for. I joined the band recently, and we have about 18 musicians who are doing very well as solo artists and who are in support of the band since the band also promotes individual growth.
What can you advise an aspiring singer?
To all the aspiring singers out there who have not yet been discovered, keep at it and don’t ever get too big for the music; consistency is key to all that you do. Create a pattern that will work for you, and never feel pressured by other people’s achievements because you don’t really know what they have gone through to get where they are. Always stay positive.
Have you joined any singing competitions before?
There are always competitions all over the world, and I did try out for the 2024 America’s Got Talent only to find that you need to reside in America for you to be eligible. I have been singing with the Royal Eswatini Police Choir for the longest time (since 2013), and I am one of the leading soloists in the choir.
Is opera music in the country recognised and appreciated, in your own words?
Opera music is very much respected but not yet appreciated, like in other countries. In Eswatini, the genre is yet to be marketed and promoted through festivals, concerts, and international competitions. Eswatini Bank and Standard Bank are the corporations that I know of that sponsor choral music in the country, and through this continued sponsorship, we are able to see the great potential of economic input the industry can contribute.
The country is yet to see more growth inspired by the performing arts industry through programmes including the Inyatsi Schools Arts and Culture Competition, Africa Ntjilo, Ntjilo Ntjilo by Mathokoza Sibiya, and other competitions that promote the young LiSwati’s God-given talents. The recognition and appreciation will be much sooner if more corporations and artists can work together to create a platform for all EmaSwati in the opera space.
Where can people reach you if they want to book you?
My booking details are: celumkhatshwa@gmail.com and +268 7633 4127.
