Local group needs recognition
They have never recorded even a single album due to the group’s financial constraints as most of its members are unemployed.
A locally based maskandi group founded more than three decades ago, needs recognition.
Members of the Green Pastures group hail from the deep rural of Empakeni village outside Daantjie. The group was founded by Samuel Mokoena to help keep the young men off the streets and away from criminal activities. Initially its members were all from Libandla la Jesu Zion Church but now belong to different churches.
They have never recorded even a single album due to the group’s financial constraints as most of its members are unemployed.
They meet three times a week and spend hours composing songs about daily events of what is happening in the society and what they heard from daily news. Their aim is to restore respect and culture as well as to raise awareness on the abuse of women and children and HIV and related illnesses. They also aim to direct listeners to the gospel of repentance.
Sabelo Mhale, the group’s coordinator, expressed their wish to record and release a album in order to become a well-known maskandi group nationally and abroad.
Their songs suit different occasions, including traditional weddings, birthday parties, funerals, church services and other events.
They recently mesmerised scores of people who attended the official opening of Tekwane Clinic and Sassa’s sub regional offices.
“We desperately need a sponsor to help us realise our dream. We are also fluent in various languages as a result we sing in English, Afrikaans, Portuguese and our mother language siSwati,” explained the members.
The group draws inspiration from Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s founder, Joseph Mshabalala.
Enquiries: Sabelo Mhaule on 079-701-2384 or Colleen Tsabedze on 082-589-8053.
