One of the most popular Tshivenda music groups to have emerged from Vhembe, the Malisakholomo Band, impressed the audience with a live performance of their latest album during the Tshivenda Traditional Music Organisation (TTM Org) workshop. Comprised of three members, the band, founded in 2012, continues to make its presence felt in the entertainment world. The group released its seventh album, "Tsitsanwana", in December last year.
The workshop was held at the Thulamela Arts and Culture Centre in Thohoyandou three weeks ago. The group left the audience in awe of their skilful stagecraft, performing songs from their previous albums as well as the new one.
Band leader and founder Apostle Takalani David Netshivhodza, who is also a gospel singer of note, said the group had been quiet for a long time. Netshivhodza, who goes by the stage name Advocate Mudavudavu, is also a published author and an educator. He said that they had had some setbacks along the way, but they were now up and running.
"We released the new album in December, but we have not done enough to promote it. The album, which has hits like 'Dzhenani Tshikolo,' 'Hugwevhiwa Vhasinaho Milandu,' and the title track 'Tsitsanwana', is doing well despite the odds. This is the right platform to showcase our music. Many of our fans thought the band had disbanded, and we are here to confirm that we are still around. This is just the start of our major campaign to reclaim our position in the music industry. We have performances lined up, and one of the biggest festivals will be held at Tshaulu later this year. We are very elated to be part of this initiative," he said.
The group worked with producers Ishmael Malala and Ndivhuwo Nekhwalivhe on the new album. Over the years, they have received three nominations for Tshivenda Music Awards (TSHIMA).