Behind the nerdy glasses is a funky rapper
Mavalani village in Giyani has its own modern-day Clark Kent aka Superman
LIMPOPO – Mavalani village in Giyani has its own modern-day Clark Kent aka Superman.
He is a serious teacher – with nerdy glasses by day – but transforms into the funky rapper Superman by night.
Tirhani Gym-Arrow Maluleke is this complex dual character. He is a storyteller with his own story the most interesting one to tell.
According to Maluleke having a name like Tirhani, which is a call for people to work, has directed him all his life.
The young physics and maths teacher boldly declares that he is commited to ensure his learners receive the best education he can give them. Though his own childhood dream of becoming a doctor was not realised due to financial limitations at home, he quickly learned to adapt and to dream new dreams for himself.
Another childhood dream, that of becoming a musician, was realised when he released his debut single in 2014. #2rue_chainz, which will include the chart-topping hit Xigubu xa mani is a Xitsonga rap album which is soon to be released.
The reception of the first single has exceeded even his own expectations. “Unexpectedly, before I knocked off at school one afternoon, I received a call from an excited friend who announced to me that Xigubu Xa Mani had just been nominated for best R&B song in the 2015 Xitsonga Music Awards. Though not something I expected, hearing the confirmation on the radio that indeed I was nominated made my day,” he proudly says.
True to character, the first person he called was the most important person in his life – his mother. For Maluleke experimenting is not something he relegates to the science labs only – to best express himself, he searches hard for the best sound to accompany his poetry, going through various instruments (he plays several) and computer software.
Maluleke is one of the first musicians to innovatively combined hip hop verses with Xitsonga traditional music, creating an explosive sound. He is looking forward to the award ceremony on 7 November in Giyani. Come what may, he is already a winner.
