WATCH: KwaThema artists sing ‘Stay with me’ (video)
KwaThema – Making it into any industry is not an easy task for most people, but for duo Innocent Moshatama and Vuyo Ngoma (both 22 years old) it’s the love of the arts that has kept them going.
The young men, who are united by location and love of melody, crossed paths early in their childhood.
The artists are singing to Sam Smith’s ‘Stay With Me’.
Moshatama explains that he fell in love with music at the age of 12, when he was inspired by the sounds of Celine Dion.
From there he taught himself to sing and was fortunate to have also studied music at Eureka High School.
“What I have always loved about songs is the messages behind them, especially with Rnb and Hip-Hop, as they speak of people’s life experiences,” he says.
Ngoma, on the other hand, says his love for the performing arts sparked in Grade Seven, at KwaThema Combined Primary School.
“I used to sing in the choir because of my teacher, but didn’t love it until I gradually ended up liking it, as I saw I could not escape,” he explains.
“When I got to Nkumbulo Secondary School I began teaching my peers and those younger than me how to sing, act and do comedy, and I have never stopped from there.”
During this period, Ngoma managed to teach himself to play the guitar and when his older cousin, Sifiso Mkhumbuzo, who had his own guitar saw this, he promised to get Ngoma one of his own when he passed Grade 10.
“When I got to Grade 11 I left school, driven by my passion and wanting my talent to be known by the world,” says Ngoma.
For a couple of years the friends had parted ways, due to relocation, but since both their families are still in KwaThema, they were able to meet up again.
And, about two years ago, the duo formed a group with third member Thando Nyoka (21), who is based in Johannesburg.
They called themselves Reflection, and perform Soul, RnB, Hip-Hop and Kasi Afro Pop.
“Our commitment and passion sets us apart from the rest and we don’t rely just on talent, but put in the hard work to ensure people know about us,” they say.
“We also go to different places and events to perform the material we have.
“Our only major challenge is financial constraints, as it costs money to buy musical instruments, make recordings and travel around to perform.”
The two lads say that, despite this, they will keep pushing for their material to be heard, as music heals the spirit even when things are bad.
