Nduduzo Makhathini, a talented and world-renowned Jazz musician from Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Nduduzo is well known for his outstanding performances at international music festivals through his international tours. As, Idlozi Magazine we, had a pleasure of chatting with him, while he was in Durban.Among other things we spoke spoke about, it was his upcoming album under Bluenote Records in New York ‘uNomkhubulwane’, upcoming tours and his single ‘Amathambo’ (divining using bones – an African Prophetic divination).
Our Editor, Gugulethu Mhlongo sat him down for a question and answer session to find out what’s instore for the year 2024. The interview went very well, as we are particularly drawn to his single, ‘Amathambo’ that, we recently wrote a piece about it, in our last issue.
Responding to the questions about his single, Nduduzo, gave us a clear understanding regarding his upbringing and about the difficulties that he encountered as a child due to the belief systems that was brought about colonisation and the conflict he experienced between him and his mother around his calling as a Sangoma while he was a child.
“Amathambo, speaks about the difficulty of our upbringing during the apartheid era as well as the various beliefs that colonisation introduced and the confusion brought about these beliefs and religious systems. It speaks to how we can untangle these difficulties of subscribing to other religions. It brings the question of what to really believe as an African person. I remember around the age of 9, I had the Sangoma calling.
My mother said its demonic. However, my grandmother sat me down and asked me to tell her what I’d seen. She then affirmed my dreams and visions by describing my Ancestors to me. Fast-forward, I went on to study music and forgot about my calling. Around the year 2013 or 2014, I lost my eyesight, the problem persisted beyond medical assistance. My great-uncle said it was caused by my Ancestors anger.
At around 13 I went to see a Healer who suggested that my parents appease our Ancestors so I that I could be allowed to complete schooling, and then initiate. That’s where Amathambo came through my gift of ubungoma. Technology, enables me to divine and communicate what’s happening in ‘the other world’ through my music.
The messages sent to us and the relationship between amathambo (using bones to divine) and the other world. This is how I choose to heal, through my musical gift. Wanting to box Ubungoma, and when we create a singularity around ubungoma, we are not allowing ourselves to become who we are. Whereas ‘ukuthwasa’ is becoming not creating a singularity. Ukulapha (healing) ‘lapha’ or here in this moment. Being healed gets triggered and takes place when we surrender through a particular energy in that moment of ‘ukulapha’. Said Nduduzo.
About his touring, as someone who is in demand, Nduduzo went on to explain, what his fans can expect for his up coming tours. “I’ll also be going to Brassals Flajaz, a beautiful venue open to Ancestral teachings among the places I’ll be touring from January I must say that doing festival over many years in New York Winter Jazz Festival brings back so many beautiful memories. My lifetime inspirations who have also performed at this festival include; Mama Busi Mhlongo , Baba Phillip Tabane and Baba Zim Nqawane. Who all initiated in their various cultures; SePedi, IsiZulu and IsiXhosa”. Says Nduduzo
About new projects that his fans and followers can anticipate this year, Nduduzo, went on to explain about ‘Unomkhubulwane’, “I recorded an album called ‘Unomkhubulwane’ the energy of abundance. It talks about a black person lacking and Unomkhubulwane who brings about abundance. The album basically urges and creates an urgency for abundance, fertility and harvest, we ask for the rain which signifies abundance in our African culture.
During the interview Nduduzo paid tribute to Dr Mbongeni Ngema, who established the KZN Music house, an important initiative educating the youth and creating a music industry. “Now we have some of the best musicians coming from KZN. He always cared and mentored youth, from Sarafina days, he represented his country in such difficult times even abroad, teaching what was happening in the country. He was an amazing person. We’ll always remember him, he’s now gone to be with his forefathers”.Concluded Nduduzo.
As Idlozi Magazine, we thank Nduduzo for the opportunity to speak to us. We wish him all the best for 2024 and beyond.