Langalakhe Mabena
RHUMBA music, also known as Tshibilika has pioneers who put it on the world map, and names like the Sikhuza brothers are regarded as among the forerunners of the genre.
The Skhuza brothers; the late Solomon and Khumbulani were the most consistent Rhumba musicians in the 1980s and the 90s with the younger brother Chase taking the baton in the early 2000s, and carrying the weight that comes with the Sikhuza tag name.
Another Sikhuza son Mshez Nana would emerge in the music scene around 2008. Despite carrying the family’s name, Nana would shift focus and become one of the hottest hip-hop acts to emerge from Bulawayo.
With the above names sustaining the Sikhuza hegemony in the music scene, another son, Dominic Nkosana Moyo, who trades by the name Thawulo, has emerged in the game and he vows to revive the Sikhuza legacy.
Thawulo is the son of Mandlenkosi Sikhuza Moyo, who is brother to Solomon, Khumbulani and Chase. Like his uncles, Thawulo has ventured into the rhumba music space.
The muso recently released a full-length album titled Ngithwas’ Egumeni which boasts six tracks titled Ihlatshwe Ligazi, Fly Over, Iphepha Lami, iVision, Yingw’Enjani featuring Abafana Baka Mlotshwa and the title track Ngithwas’Egumeni.
The latest project released on 7 September is the fourth album under Thawulo’s name. Other albums he boasts of are Badla’ Indima Enkulu (2020), Okwenxeba Kubuhlungu (2021) and Enjelele released in 2022.
The muso who is based in South Africa, said he developed a passion for music when he was 13 years old. His uncles played a pivotal role in inspiring his journey into music.
“I grew up in a family of musicians as my uncles were respected figures in the game. When I was young, I would admire them during rehearsals and this is where I learnt how to play the guitar.
At the age of 13, I then created my own guitar (with an Olivine cooking oil container) and with this instrument, I managed to perfect my craft. Later I would then start writing my own music,” said Thawulo.
With four albums under his name, Thawulo said it has not been easy for him to carve his own name in the music industry.
“To date, I have four albums but it hasn’t been easy to penetrate into the music space. The Sikhuza name is huge and it comes with a lot of expectations and responsibility but I have managed to do well in terms of reviving our legacy as a family.
“I urge rhumba lovers to give an ear to my compositions as they are a reflection of our daily lives. My dream is to fully revive the Sikhuza name and this can be done only if fans support and follow my music,” said Thawulo.
Thawulo was born in Ntoli, Plumtree, Matabeleland South. He went to Ntoli Primary School and did his Ordinary level studies at Emaqhekeni Secondary School in Gampu.
