South Africa kwaito legend Mdu Masilela is working on a project to honour, acknowledge and celebrate artistes for their contributions to the entertainment industry.
The 50-year-old musician recently shared his vision with Daily Sun, expressing his regret that the late kwaito star, Mapaputsi ,didn’t receive recognition while still alive.
The Tsiki Tsiki hitmaker revealed that although the project is still in its early stages, his goal is to give artistes their flowers while they’re still here to appreciate them. “We’re working on it, but nothing is confirmed yet,” he said.
Reflecting on the death of Mapaputsi, Mdu acknowledged the unpredictability of life. “We cannot prevent death. It comes without warning. We lost him and there’s nothing we can do now but mourn. We are left behind to grieve.”
Mdu emphasised the brief nature of life and the importance of celebrating artists while they’re still around.
“We are given limited time on this earth and God doesn’t tell us when that time will end. Losing icons like Mapaputsi in such a short space of time is a reminder of how stressful life can be, especially in these difficult economic conditions. Some people can cope, but for others, it’s overwhelming,” he explained.
The musician expressed sorrow that many artistes die without being fully recognised for their contributions.
“Mapaputsi should have been celebrated while he was alive. We had plans to honour him and others for the joy and entertainment they’ve brought to our lives. It’s heartbreaking to lose them without showing our appreciation.”
Mdu believes that acknowledging artistes is a way to show love and encouragement.
“There are older artistes still with us today who deserve to be recognised and thanked for their contributions to the entertainment industry. Art, to me, is a vehicle that promotes joy, culture and unity.
“It’s vital to thank artistes for making people dance and smile. Music is about emotions. Some people go to events feeling down, but by the end of the night, they leave happy. That’s the power of music and it’s something that helps us all as human beings,” he said.
