Langalakhe Mabena
NEWLY established Zimbabwean Afro-Fusion outfit the Matojeni Melo-Maniacs (MMM) have debuted their international appearances as they are scheduled to perform on 3 November at the Roots Music from Southern Africa festival in Vienna, Austria.
MMM will share the stage with Tsaradia from Madagascar as well as Chornissen from Austria.
The festival was founded in 2010 and this year the physical festivities will mark the eleventh edition of the festival as it did not take place in 2020 and 2021 owing to Covid-19. Created by Isiko, a non-profit organisation based in Vienna, Austria, founded by arts doyen Blessings Nqo, the goal of the festival is to promote intercultural dialogue between Southern African artistes and European artistes and create more possibilities and interlink with other world music festivals.
MMM founder and manager Blessings Nqo said they were excited to be part of this year’s edition of the Roots Music from Southern Africa.
“This is the first international gig for MMM to participate in and we are excited to be performing in Vienna as this gig will be a groundbreaking effort for the ensemble.
“The group boasts of fresh projects which they will share on stage with the rest of the world. For nowe they will only perform in Austria, but the trip acts as their introductory move to the European market, which will also see them touring different countries next year,” said Blessings Nqo.
MMM is a cultural group that consists of veteran artistes – Nomathamsanqa “Nkwali” Mkhwananzi, Thandeka Patricia “Thandy Dhlana” Jele, Nolizwe Ngwenya, Mthabisi Moyo and Bekezela “Sjure” Sibanda.
The group released their first ever Extend Play (EP) titled Rhythms of the Matebele which consists of songs Pembela, Africa, Emeli lo-Dlala Regina, Inkomo Zamalobolo, and an extended version of Emeli Lo.
They are looking forward to performing and sharing their music to the world, with a solid project which is a cocktail of diverse languages that cut across borders, catering to a diverse audience.
Other creatives who have performed at the Roots Music from Southern Africa festival are Nobuntu, Jeys Marabini, Blessings Chimanga, Tshwalabenyoni,Virginia, Mukwesha,Black Moses Ngwenya (Soul Brothers), Blessings Nqo and Band ,Nkwali, Mokoomba and Vusa Mkhaya.
