Fresh out of matric, Sizwe Mdluli’s first job was building Carnival City’s stage and lighting rigs. Twenty-five years later, he has come full circle to launch his debut album as an artist at the casino and hotel.
Mdluli, who performs under the stage name Bhek’zizwe, was first inspired to buy an acoustic guitar in the early 2000s when working as a sound engineer at Carnival City and watching Chico & the Gypsies perform on their SA tour.
“This started my musical journey, but initially, I was scared to take it seriously. The more I played, the more people complimented me, and I gained confidence. Because we worked long hours, I often practised at work, in the corridors of Carnival City, as I built my music behind the scenes.”
The eight-track adult contemporary album, African Stories, is a social commentary on “the universe, God, politics and love” in Zulu, Xhosa, English and Sesotho, said the 42-year-old singer, songwriter and composer.
The band, formed in 2017, comprises a drummer, bass guitarist, keyboardist, lead guitarist, and backing vocalist, while Mdluli plays the acoustic guitar. His song ideas arrive as “downloads”.
“I wake up with a melody in my head and sit and construct it into a song, call the band together, and watch as it develops.”
Bhek’zizwe started gigging in 2018, and Carnival City was the natural home for these performances.
“Our second gig was Carnival City’s Premium Jazz Festival, where we were on the bill with big names, including Vusi Nova and The Soil.
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“It is a transition from building and setting up a stage to performing on it – almost surreal. I spent years working my way up to become a senior sound engineer and venue manager of Carnival City and doing soundchecks for other people, and then suddenly, you’re the one facing 3 500 audience members. At first, it was scary, but you gain confidence and do what you have to.”
In 2011, Mdluli took a leap of faith and resigned from Carnival City. He used the financial backing provided to small businesses to set up his own audio-visual company, Ugqozi Entertainment.
“With a cash injection of R380 000, I could buy sound and lighting equipment, and today, I do events and shows not only for Carnival City but also for several corporate clients in and around Johannesburg.”
The company employs two others, having shrunk in size after the pandemic, and about 20% of its income is from providing services to Carnival City.
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“I believe in the universe. It would have been hard without Carnival City. I take my hat off to them for the help in starting my small business and giving me a foot into the music industry.”
The African Stories album launch was on May 22 on Carnival City’s Applause stage at Bru’s Bar and is available on digital music services.
“I’m excited about African Stories and believe it will do well. The older generation aged 35 to 50 is left out because everyone is going after amapiano.
“There is a need for more adult contemporary music, and we are filling this gap for those who don’t want to be young again – they just want to listen to the music they enjoy.”
