“We inspire people with our music”

By: Mduduzi Justice Nyalunga (FJP reporter)

Ilitha Lelanga Marimba and Ensemble African Traditional group

As I walked around the streets of Grahamstown at this year’s National Arts Festival, I looked forward to meeting interesting African artists and I was hooked by a group of four talented artists called Ilitha Lelanga Marimba and ensemble African Traditional group.

The group consists of two lead vocalists, Zama Mqolo and Sipho Tswane, who together with Kagiso Bolofo and Bantu Makeleni, play the marimbas.

“Our Music is about inspiring and educating people. We do not just sing but we are also motivating them socially” said Mqolo. “We want to be different from other Marimba groups.”

The band is from Gugulethu, a township in Cape Town. They have been in the Music industry for a long time but their first album came in two and a half years ago. The first album is called Asijiki a Xhosa word which means we are going forward.

“With the album Asijiki we are actually trying to send a message to the people to focus on their dreams and not to be let down by others,” said Mqolo.

Mqolo said their first album was successful, regardless of the fact that they had to sell the CD’s and DVD’s themselves because they did not have a distributor. IIlitha Lelanga Marimba and ensemble African Traditional Group’s second album is called Fading Memories and they were helped by the National Arts Festival to put it on the market.

“For us to be at the National Arts Festival it’s great because it gives us the exposure and so far we have sold a number of CD’s n DVD’s and people are enjoying our Music,” said Makeleni.

Both albums were recorded at the RBF SABC studios in Cape Town. Their music is a fusion of Opera, Maskandi, Jazz and western influence and targeted at a wide audience.

The group sings about Africa and its different cultures. Their aim is not to become celebrities, but instead motivate, inspire and educate people.

The group is happy with the kind of response they get from audiences, especially at the National Arts Festival. It gives them hope that one day they will share the stage with the great musicians such as Hugh Masekela, Oliver Mtukudzi, Hashi Elimhlophe and many more.

Pics: Mduduzi Justice Nyalunga