Musicians take Maskandi music abroad
Musicians Qadasi and Maqhinga are finding fame and fortune beyond the borders of our country, with a unique blend of traditional Zulu Maskandi and Western folk music.
THE duo of David Jenkins and Maqhinga Radebe performed at the Shongweni Farmers Market on September 10, following their recent return from a successful European tour.
The tour included the countries of Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Belgium. They will shortly embark on their fourth tour of Thailand before December events in the Cape.
According to David Jenkins, whose stage name is Qadasi, the Thai audience is made up of a combination of local residents and South African expatriates.
“Our music always goes down well in Thailand, as there are so many expats there. It’s always a big party,” says the musician.
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Where do the musicians like to perform locally?
Although the pair enjoy their international tours, they savour performing at local venues, too.
Jenkins says, “We perform at the Shongweni Farmers Market about once a month. Durban is our home, so this is one of our favourite local spots although we do perform all around KZN and in the neighbouring provinces when we are in the country.”
Maqhinga Radebe adds that the friends were in Swaziland the previous week and will leave the next day for North West, saying that they are continuously on the road, building their brand and performing the music they love.
The challenges the musicians face
Finding time to spend with their families is a challenge with a busy schedule.
Radebe says, “My family is from a village two hour’s drive from Empangeni, so that’s difficult in that it’s a long way from Durban.”
Jenkins maintains that providing for their families while doing what they love is something the friends don’t take for granted.
“We understand that this is what we do, and it’s a busy life, but fortunately, we are able to do what we love, and that’s the most important thing,” he says.
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How it started
Jenkins and Radebe met in 2010 by chance when Jenkins’ Western concertina was tuned in a Durban music studio. The two musicians ‘jammed’ to pass the time.
Jenkins says of the encounter, “It was just a great hour of sitting together playing our guitars – it was the start of everything. It was just meant to be.”
When offered a recording contract by the company that Radebe was part of, Jenkins gladly accepted, and Radebe became the young musician’s first producer and music director. The duo began performing together in 2013.
Two collaborative albums later, one of which received a South African Music Award (SAMA), Radebe has launched his latest solo album, and Jenkins is currently working on his third. The pair say they will begin talking about their third collaborative album in 2023.
New projects
Jenkins says it is a challenge to find the time for projects they’d like to do together due to the demands of touring.
“We need the time. That’s the toughest thing when you are on the road constantly, is finding the time to work on our new projects and music,” says Jenkins.
When asked for advice for aspiring musicians, Radebe says that it is important to not focus on becoming wealthy but rather to follow your passion in the beginning of your career.
“People think they will become a big superstar and make lots of money. Do what you love and keep that at the core – your talent and brand will grow, and everything will follow that. First focus on your passion, and remember why you want to go forward with this. You must also understand it’s a very tough industry, but continue to push forward and don’t give up,” says Radebe.
