Acolly Mandiza, one of Vhembe's star musicians, could not think of a better gift to present to his father, legendary Tshivenda musician Elvis Mandiza of the Sibasa Pirates fame, on his 73rd birthday this year than a song dedicated especially to him.
The song, Dear Father, is the title track on Acolly's latest album, which was released on Elvis's birthday on Friday, 17 February. Throughout his long music career, Elvis had produced hit after hit, among them songs such as Ni Ambara Suthu and Ndivhiseni.
Acolly, who is both a songwriter and producer, walks proudly in his father's footsteps. He has been actively making music since 2013 and has recorded three other albums over the years, titled Elelwani, Khokhonya and Makhelwane, with a number of popular songs among them, such as Shambo la Shambo, Ha Muragaand Thangana and many others. He has won several awards and his music has been played on nearly every provincial radio station.
Dear Father is Acolly's fourth album, a 10-track offering with songs such as Dear Father, Ndivhiseni, Ri Tea u Malana and Wanga being among the best. The album is well structured with well-crafted vocals and instruments. The sound of the lead guitar is thoroughly intoxicating and leaves one wanting to listen to the songs on repeat.
Acolly said he had thought of ways to surprise his father on his birthday and the idea of a song dedicated to him came to mind. "This is the best way to say thank you to him. Everything that I am is just a mirror of what my father did before. My father has been my music lecturer all these years. He taught me how to play the guitar and how to produce songs that speak to the soul. But above all, he has been my life coach all my life, never absent in my life. This album speaks of my appreciation for all he has been and still is doing in my life. It is 100% live instruments, just like he used to do back in his days," he said.