Mzwakhe Mbuli

Mzwakhe Mbuli is a former Deacon at Apostolic Faith Mission Church in Naledi Soweto South Africa, known as "The People's Poet, Tall man, Mbulism", is a poet and Mbaqanga singer in South Africa.

Early life

He was born in Sophiatown on the 1st of August in 1959, but his family was forced to move to Soweto when the government bulldozed his home town.[1]

Career

His works include a book of poems, Before Dawn (1989), and albums Change is Pain (1986), Unbroken Spirit (1989), Resistance and Defence (1992), and Africa (1993). His poems are mainly in English but draw on his native Zulu as well as traditional praise poetry and rap. His best-known poem is Change is Pain, a protest piece about oppression and revolution, which was initially banned until growing pressure forced South Africa to allow more freedom of speech.[2] His first performance group was called "Khuvhangano".

Throughout the 1980s Mzwakhe was repeatedly detained by the authorities and denied a passport to travel while playing a leading role in the Cultural activities of the United Democratic Front.[3] His international career began in 1990 in Berlin, Germany when he shared the stage with Youssou N'dour, Miriam Makeba and Thomas Mapfumo. An imposing figure, standing well over 6 feet (1.8 m) tall, he performed at the funeral of Chris Hani, the assassinated head of the South African Communist Party, and at the presidential inauguration Nelson Mandela in 1994. In 1996 Mbuli was invited to London to co-host, with British poet and activist Benjamin Zephaniah, the Two Nations Concert at the Albert Hall to honor President Nelson Mandela on his visit to London . Later in the year, he returned to the UK to join Peter Gabriel, Youssour N'dour and other prominent African artists to record the fundraising Aids Album.[4]

Mbuli was convicted in March 1999 for armed robbery and possession of a hand grenade – crimes he has consistently denied committing; he and his supporters have always insisted he was framed by the government for speaking out against corruption. He was held at the Leeuwkop Maximum Security Prison, until his release in November 2003. His most recent release is Mbulism.[4]

Discography

Studio albums

  • Change is Pain (1986) Shifty (Rounder - USA)
  • Unbroken Spirit (1988) Shifty Records
  • Resistance is Defence (1992) Stern's Earthworks
  • Afrika (1993) CCP/EMI South Africa
  • Izigi (1994) CCP/EMI, South Africa
  • KwaZulu-Natal (1996) CCP / EMI South Africa
  • Umzwakhe Ubongu Ujehovah (1997) CCP/EMI South Africa
  • Mbulism (2004) CCP/EMI South Africa

Singles

Notes

  1. ↑ Afropop! An Illustrated Guide to Contemporary African Music by Sean Barlow & Banning Eyre
  2. ↑ African Music Encyclopedia: Mzwakhe Mbuli
  3. ↑ South African Music
  4. 1 2 Poetry Africa 2004

References

  • Afropop! An Illustrated Guide to Contemporary African Music by Sean Barlow & Banning Eyre. (Book Sales August 1995) ISBN 0-7858-0443-9, ISBN 978-0-7858-0443-7
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