So what if Kenyans do not understand a word of the ubiquitous
Zulu song, Khona, by South Africa’s sartorially and sonically gifted band,
Mafikizolo? One thing that was understood at the Blankets and Wine concert, is
Kenyans love a good live act.
Blankets
and Wine celebrated its 50th edition concert in Carnivore over the
January 4th weekend. The crowd no doubt screamed
the wrong lyrics, but it didn’t even matter because Mafikozolo’s presence on
stage was entertaining and the melodies familiar to the attendees. The amped up
crowd chanted “KHONA” with the kind of gusto you’d expect to see at a Gor Mahia
match. “If you’re going to play around with the love I gave you, bring it right
back here,” Nonhlanhla Mafu summarizes of the song’s meaning. Khona won the
“Most Gifted Dance Video” at the 2013 Channel O Video Music Awards.
Nonhlanhla is poised and lady like as she sits alongside her
equally fashionable band member, Theo Kgosinkwe, at the Southern Sun Hotel.
“Music and fashion go together. We’ve always taken our act very seriously.”
Both members are impeccably groomed and well dressed. During the interview,
Theo sports a colorful masai bracelet and fitted green blazer paired with a
Mandela tee. Nonhlanhla wears a Barbie-esque pink lipstick, which compliments
her flawless skin, and bright floral pants. It’s not hard to see why she
started a clothing label, NN Vintage.
Mafikizolo’s latest album, Reunited, celebrates intercontinental
languages and musical influences. This is most evident in the singles, Happiness
and Nakupenda. One thing that devastated the fans and band members was the
death of Mafikizolo’s third member, Tebogo Madingoane.“We were not going to
look for another member. He would have liked that, not to be replaced,” says
Theo. Since Tebogo’s death in 2004, the remaining band members pursued solo
projects, but Mafikizolo are stronger together and that was clear at the
Carnivore grounds this past weekend.
The combination of having a live band, entertaining dancers and
a string of hits which the audience recognized was a winning combination and a
great start to the 2014 Blankets and Wine program. The popular event is in the
process of becoming a festival, instead of a one afternoon event, which
features a mix of different genres from various African countries. Speaking
specifically on Kenya, Muthoni The Drummer Queen said: “We need to export the
music. All these Kenyan bands deserve to be known on the continent.”
For more info, log onto: www.blanketsandwine.com
By Josephine Opar.
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