BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
MBABANE – Get ready for this year’s CollaboNation song, ‘Mother’ by Stewart Sukuma (Mozambique) and Bholoja Mbongiseni Ngubane (Eswatini), which is set to be released in 11 days.
The song will be officially released on July 26, 2024. This was announced by the MTN Bushfire page.
Local Afro-singer artists Bholoja and X Stewart Sukuma from Mozambique were unveiled as this year’s CollaboNation artists on May 27. The CollaboNation Studio Journey documentary kicked off on July 5.
CollaboNation is MTN Bushfire’s arts development project, supported by MTN and produced by Bushfire Records.
CollaboNation aims to connect and unite the continent through a series of unique music collaborations, supporting the weaving together of Africa’s rich and diverse musical genres and building linkages between cultural industries and networks.
The song ‘Mother’ is inspired by the crucial need to address one of the burning issues in our society: gender-based violence. CollaboNation is MTN Bushfire’s arts development project, supported by MTN Eswatini and produced by Bushfire Records.
CollaboNation connects and unites the continent through a series of unique music collaborations, supporting the weaving together of Africa’s rich and diverse musical genres and building linkages between cultural industries and networks.
The CollaboNation project, Sounds Connect Fund, is an initiative by the Music in Africa Foundation (MIAF). The Sound Connects Fund was supported by the financial contributions of the European Union and the Organisation of ACP States.
Bholoja, born Mbongiseni Ngubane, is considered one of the most relevant figures in the contemporary African music scene. After the success of his first album, Swazi Soul, released in 2009, Bholoja gained vast appreciation and earned ample recognition in Southern Africa, becoming the first LiSwati artist to achieve international exposure solely through the works of his music. He draws his inspiration from Swati tradition and seeks to preserve the country’s cultural heritage through his songs. His music is a response to the changing global situation and African growth challenges.
This passionate artist soon became Eswatini’s rising symbol of its native rhythms, melodies, arts, and culture.
Stewart Sukuma, is one of Mozambique’s foremost musicians, combines traditional and contemporary Mozambican music mixed with sweet yet powerful melodies that carry a message of hope and renewal.
Last year’s CollaboNation artists were Thobile Makhoyane (Eswatini) X The Hood Brodz (Mozambique), and ‘Chisimo’ by Mokoomba (Zimbabwe) X Morena Leraba (Lesotho). They recorded a song titled ‘Sek’sedvute,’ which is now available as audio tracks on all streaming platforms, as well as on the MTN Bushfire website, www.bush-fire.com/collaboration.
