Makhwelintaba’s music calling

Langalakhe Mabena

While growing up, many neglect the pursuit of their passion and talent, especially in the arts, as choosing a path in any field in this industry is deemed as underpaying and one can’t make ends meet or have a successful career.

But when the music calling is bestowed on you, there will always be a melodic voice constantly whispering, convincing you to answer the call, and Slungile Nobuhle “Makhwelintaba” Dube’s story is nothing short of that.

Born in Tsholotsho’s Gcwalangamathe area under Chief Gampu Sithole area along Sikente Road, Makhwelintaba grew up attending the Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA), a place which she said was responsible for influencing and moulding her spiritually and musically.

From her base in Bedford View, East Rand, the novelist-cum-musician who is a happily married mother of three, two boys and a girl, said she made a tough decision in answering her musical calling.

“I realised that I had a passion for art, with music being the major one, at an early age.  Growing up at an SDA church helped me realise my talent, rising from a church chorister to a choir leader. 

“I then took too long to live my dream because of ignoring what God ordered me to be on earth. I was hindered to be a musician because of various reasons including being scared to be judged by people,” said Makhwelintaba.

 

Having worked with some of Mzansi’s top maskandi talents including Vezo Wodumo, Oscar Gatsheni and producer Ephraim Mamabolo from Limpopo, such geniuses inspired Makhwelintaba to go solo.

After releasing a single in 2021 titled iPleasure, the songstress never looked back as she released her first full-length album titled iTshatshazi Lami on 31 December.

ITshatshazi Lami album is fused with three genres which are Maskandi, Jazz and Afro Pop. It has eight songs including, Kuyabekezelwa, Lilizela, Where are you?, Ubomyeka, Ntombi Yami, Imanxebanxeba, iTshatshazi Lami and iPleasure.

“On the project I featured Mkhand’Ozkhandayo, Mkhululi Nyathi, Hlalaphi Ngonyama and Amakholwa eNkosi. The album will be officially launched on 4 March at Engadini Lounge in Tembisa,” said Makhwelintaba.

Apart from music, Makhwelintaba is an actress and a radio presenter at Amaqhawe neNtaba FM, she is also an author with two books under her name titled Ngangithembile and Bekezela.

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