Music conductor ‘Fluffy’ Mabuza lets music speak for him

Earlier this year, Fluffy took on his biggest challenge yet by embracing the Newcastle High School music department and becoming the lead conductor.

October 24, 2019

Zaria van Dillen 2 minutes read

Those on the social music scene will know of ‘Fluffy’ – he has spent the past decade breaking boundaries.

Mzwandile Mabuza (Fluffy) began his musical career in his hometown of Newcastle, and said he always had a deep passion for the art of music.

“I grew up loving music in every possible way; both of my parents were singers.”

His journey began in both Busy Bee Primary School and Arbor Park Primary School, and continued through to Ferrum High School where he joined the choir and was later recruited to the NKZN Youth Choir.

“Once my secondary education was complete, I went on to study at the University of Pretoria to pursue my dream of studying classical music and choir conducting. Everything in the African culture is celebrated with music, whether it be happiness, sadness or joy,” elaborated Fluffy.

Earlier this year, Fluffy took on his biggest challenge yet by embracing the Newcastle High School music department and becoming the lead conductor.

Under his tutelage, the choir has soared to great heights, with a current group of 56 learners and counting, as more and more learners show interest in joining the cultural programme.

Fluffy and the choir have travelled to neighboring towns such as Dundee, to perform at the local choir festival.

It also performed at the Choral Celebration Network Festival in Durban, where the choir delivered a spectacular show and left many spectators awestruck.

Behind the scenes, Fluffy explains he enjoys having down time, especially over the weekends.

“Even though I believe music is food for the soul, rest and spending quality time with friends and family is even better!”

He said his favourite part about being a conductor was delivering God’s work.

“I love being able to be on stage performing and making beautiful music and receiving good feedback from the community, and most of all working with these amazing children.”

With an illustrious background in music, including a stint working with the world-renowned Ndlovu Youth Choir (runner-up in America’s Got Talent), Fluffy believes passion is the key to success.

He ends off with this piece of advice for those seeking a career in music: “Passion and loving what you do plays a big role in one’s success. Technique is key and practice makes perfect.”