Loveness finds her voice and love

Ntsako Mabunda

LIMPOPO – Constantly being teased about her dark complexion and her looks, musician Nkateko Loveness Rikhotso had a tough time finding confidence and learning to love herself.

Fortunately for her, she soon realised that she had something most people envied and complimented about her, her voice. Finding solace in song suddenly made her recognise that she was beautiful in her own special way and that even her dark complexion added to her special blend of beauty.

This young woman who was born at Ngove village near Giyani first learnt to be independent when her mother left her in the care of her father and other relatives to further her studies away from home. It was this same independent and adventurous spirit that encouraged her to go out and travel the world herself after matric.

Though it was tough leaving behind her young baby, she had to find out who she was and what the world had to offer her before she could come back and be the best parent she could ever be, a move well supported by her parents. While living and working in Britain and then the US may not have led her on the path of true love, Loveness soon learnt that her unique beauty made her a hit with other nationalities and she made plenty of new friends and even dated a bit. Coming back home, she decided to further her education and in the process, found love and plenty of inspiration. “I really love to love,” Loveness gushes. “I always fantasised about it and wrote about it, so it makes perfect sense that I sing about it. My music is RnB and hip hop in English and Xitsonga. My producer Jeff “G-boy” encouraged me to sing in Xitsonga and together with M.U.G and M3, I receive plenty of help writing the Xitsonga songs. With the English I’m sorted,” she says. Loveness, whose debut album will be released soon is already excited by the response she’s receiving from fans and by the airplay she gets from local radio stations. The 10-track album’s release will be preceded by a three-track single to tantalise fans and hopefully will give them an excellent idea of how the full album will be accepted. Looking forward to a successful life and career, Loveness is very optimistic. “Who doesn’t dream of a happy ending?” Loveness asked.