Ijongo Elisha on a mission to influence young people with positive mindset

Growing up in the rural village of KwaJikijiki in KwaMaphumulo midlands of KwaZulu-Natal, Thembinkosi Xulu, also known as ‘Ijongo Elisha’ in the music industry, has always had a dream to become one of the best musicians in the land.

In 2012, the 29-year-old music artist decided to leave his rural homeland and moved to Johannesburg to fight for his dream to become a reality.

After many years of struggle to have his music professionally recorded in studio, Xulu has finally managed to release his first album titled Kulele Inkosi with 10 tracks.Xulu said the title of his album was a tribute to the late maskandi artist, Sbongiseni ‘Mjikijelwa’ Ngubane who died in 2018.

“I grew up listening to different maskandi artists and I was inspired by people like the late Mjikijelwa, who was known as King of Maskandi. “I told myself that one day I will become a music artist. I invested more in cultural activities to nurture my talent while I was in high school.”

In 2013, Xulu together with his friend Melusi Buthelezi teamed up to release a single track that didn’t do well in the market. In 2015 he went solo and released his first single, titled Ababoshwe as a protest to rhino poaching.

“My music is always aimed at encouraging people, especially young people to take good decisions and do right things with their lives. I try by all means through my music to awaken the spirit of uBuntu in our generation.

“In his recent project, Xulu worked with music artist like Fisokuhle Dladla who plays lead guitar and Mzambiya Mvelase as a backing vocalist.

His music is currently available on CD and will soon be available on digital music outlets.

For more details, call Thembinkosi Xulu on 079 434 7975.