That’s called revolution, although the concept 4IR for me does not stand water in this instance because other countries might be ahead of us when coming to either fourth, fifth or sixth revolution”, commented the hard talking Zolani Mkiva at the Castle Milk Stout official launch of the Clan Beats “Extended Play” (EP) album.
Mkiva whose CV boasts of being a Member of the National Council of Provinces and Contralesa secretary-general, is one of the praise singers identified to pair with the upcoming musicians in the beer’s campaign.
Without mincing any of his words, he continued:” We must also conscientious our young generation on what is culture, its values and what you as a person stand to gain from it. By so doing this would help them to be patriotic and identify with their culture from school as a form of a syllabus.”
This initiative seeks to preserve our culture hence I’m one of the faces to promote its significance. Lets write books, digitize it and create doccies about our own cultures, he said.
Blending young and old -musical hitmaker DJ Maphorisa produced the musical piece that features four African clans (although there are more), where each song narrates the featured artists’ and praise singers’ journey to rediscover the richness of their culture.
The compilation features Sho Madjozi, KB Motsilanyane, Sjava and Thandiswa Mazwai who have been paired with praise singers from the same clans namely, Dr Sithole, Stoan Seate, Madala Kunene and Mkiva himself.
“The EP is quite unique and very well composed – a true mix of the young and old coming together to connect on common ground. The music fuses clan praises, which pay homage to the past with new-age sounds that the current audience in the music scene identifies with.
It synchronously creates a new sound which will show future generations how they too can celebrate their heritage,” noted ABInBev Vice President of Marketing: Africa Zone Andrea Quaye.
The EP features Thandiswa Mazwai and Zolani Mkiva’s Abuyile Amakhosi, an upbeat afro-pop song that pays homage to the Xhosa cultural group.
KB Motsilanyane and Stoan Seate’s Ke A Phela, which translates to “I am alive”, is the second track on the EP and inherently narrates how being rooted in African culture is what keeps African hearts beating.
Amapiano inspired Hi Bomba by Sho Madjozi and Dr Sithole calls on the Xitsonga cultural group to embrace their colourful culture with pride.
The fourth and final track is Thina Asizazi, a modern maskandi track by Sjava and Madala Kunene that delves into issues of identity and self-discovery.
The Clan Beats EP will be available for download and streaming on all major digital music platforms on Heritage Day, 24 September 2019.
In his parting shot Mkiva also cautioned against the public broadcaster using international content, as a result losing millions. Instead it should procure and produce the rich and cultural content that speaks to our people. “That’s Ubuntu, finish & klaar!”
“Imagine Chinese mimicking other countries- that would never happen. SA should follow the same principle and show our diversity,” he pointed out strongly.
Lets celebrate and preserve our heritage. Amen!
Image (Musician & Presenter – Stoan Seate, Musician – Sjava,Praise Singer – Madala Kunene, Musician – Thandiswa Mazwai, Praise Singer – Dr. Sithole, Musian – Sho Madjozi, Praise Singer- Zola Mkiva, ABInBev Vice President of Marketing :Africa Zone – Andrea Quaye,Musian & Actress – KB Motsilanyane, Clan Beats Producer – DJ Maphorisa at the Castle Milk Stout Clan Beats EP Album Launch).
