Maskandi unknowns take to the stage

Vosloorus-based company Zizile Entertainment held a maskandi music concert on Sunday, October 2.

The company, owned by hard-working Ayanda Zwane, organised the concert with the aim of recognising up-and-coming maskandi musicians.

Zwane spoke to Kathorus MAIL about the purpose of the concert.

“We are promoting traditional music and at the same time, we are giving unknown artists a chance to sell themselves to the public. Some of the artists will use this opportunity to record their live DVDs.

“These artists are very talented but unfortunately they die poor just because they don’t get the kind of exposure that will put them on the map.

“We held a similar concert a week ago, on Sunday, September 25, at Denver Hostel,” said Zwane.

One of the musicians who performed on the day, Siphiwe Manyathi, who originally hails from Nquthu, KwaZulu-Natal, to be given a chance to perform.

“I feel encouraged because I like traditional music. Chances like these are good because it’s not all the time that we unknown artists get a chance to perform in front of such a big crowd.

“My CD called ‘161 Siphiwe Ntombi Yasesandlwana’ that I released in 2012 is out on the shelves at music shops now. Today I am encouraged to record another album,” said Manyathi.

Zwane was not pleased with the behaviour of some of the fans who gatecrashed the venue.

“I think the fans misbehaved today. I am not sure if we will continue with these concerts.

“As for the police, they did not help at all to control the crowd because they came and went back saying that they are going to get a back-up, but they never returned.”

Zwane said the money that was raised during the concert will be kept in a trust fund for up-and-coming artists.

The entry fee was R20.00 at the gate.