BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
MBABANE – With less than a few days to go until the sixth edition of the Standard Bank Luju Food and Lifestyle Festival, we bring you closer to one of the acts that will be performing for the first time at the festival.
The festival will be held on Friday and Saturday (August 2–3) at the luscious Malandelas lawn in Malkerns.
Sisonkhe Kollektiv is the brainchild of Into Music Society and The Jazz Gallery. It was formed in June 2024, and the 21 strong members’ ages range from 14 to 63 years. The group is set to perform on Friday, at 7pm on the Main Stage.
When reached for comment, Nelisa Lawton, the brains behind the concept, said, “The inspiration for the formation of the group was the fact that over the last 20 years we have worked with the cream of Eswatini musicians and have formed strong bonds with them. We have participated and watched their growth, and we are immensely proud of them. We have represented a fusion of experience, passion, and fresh perspectives; Sisonkhe Kollektiv will captivate you with their diverse musical compilation.”
It is worth mentioning that the one-of-a-kind ensemble features some of Eswatini’s award-winning legendary and new-age musical talents, including singers, a drummer, a saxophonist, a pianist, a bassist, a trumpeter, a cellist, a violinist, and guitarists who remarkably fuse jazz, opera, neo-soul, and spoken word.
According to Lawton, they are always willing to teach and assist each other and felt it was time to widen the musical family, including aspiring young musicians living with disabilities that do not easily allow them opportunities to participate and perform with others.
She said, “Being part of Sisonkhe Kollektiv gives them the opportunity to learn from and play with seasoned musicians. Included in the group are a teenage wheelchair user, a visually impaired teenager, and one living with albinism. We are honoured and excited to be on the line-up for the Standard Bank Luju Festival 2024,” said Lawton.
To date, the collective has performed during King Charles 111 birthday celebrations at the British High Commissioner’s residence and at the Jazz Gallery celebration of International Jazz Day.
The members are;
- Mongezi Simelane (Cello)
- Aliselihle Tfwala (Vocals & Poetry)
- Kwanza Kamau (Violin)
- Luluzy (Vocals)
- Mlandvo Paules (Trumpet)
- Siphosethu Mkhatshwa (Trombone)
- Sihlelelwe Mncina (Saxophone)
- Daniel Chulu (Bass)
- Sakhile Sambo (Guitar)
- iYA (Vocals)
- Ndumiso Dlamini (Piano) MUSIC DIRECTOR
- Mwesigwa Kisaakye (Drum
- Itallo ( Trumpet)
- Zwile (Saxophone)
- Siphesihle Tfwala (vocals)
- Nothando Dlamini ( Vocals)
- KrTC Thamsanqa Sibandze (Rapper)
- Samantha Rudd (Vocals)
- Msimisi Sithole (Vocals
- Tengesihle Mimi Gwebu
- Celumusa “Ceceboy” Mkhatshwa
