Maskandi fanatics will be spoilt for musical choice over the Easter holidays when a traditional leader releases his 14th album.
The bombshell by Alex’s Madala hostel-based, Induna Mthobisi Sokhela will enthral fans and gain more through its 13 tracks as they drive to and from and spend time with family and friends.
Sokhela said music is embedded in his blood, adding that it is his cultural duty. “Like prayer, it adds to society’s happiness, peace, wellness and social cohesion which the nation needs particularly at this time of unrelenting crime, divisions, poverty and many social ills.”
Sokhela’s latest release is a solo production assisted by new Mthobisi Sokhela group after he severed his 13-year tie with longtime friends, Zakhamzi group based in KwaZulu-Natal.
Keeping the album’s title close to his chest, “The tracks will heat up the holidays with words of wisdom to entice social cohesion and nation building, advice the youth against social malaise from drug and substance abuse, crime, teen pregnancies, HIV and STIs from unprotected sex and, satanism which is rampant in KwaZulu-Natal schools,” Sokhela said.
He added that his traditional leadership role is that of a public shepherd over particularly the youth who are caretakers of the nation’s future. “They need messages that build, encourage positive values, morals and a sense of accountability to each other, respect and spiritual belief.”
His musical journey also contributes to promoting atonement through prayer, Sokhela said, referring to his involvement in the national prayers for reconciliation which started in 2016 and were also held in 2018 at San Kopano Community Centre, Alex.
Parliament speaker Baleka Mbete, other leaders and organisations including the Alexandra Taxi Association, which is in an industry fraught with conflict, participated at the event. “Most maskandi musicians like Prizah Ndlovu, Buselaphi, Izingane Zoma group support the initiative and have spread the reconciliation and youth centred messages at Soweto schools.
“They will feature in Msinga, KwaZulu-Natal in April and in villages countrywide thereafter.”
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