The fertile village of Mianzwi outside Thohoyandou is well known for producing world-class sweet potatoes. However, not only good food comes from this village. Over the years, it has also produced several talented musicians who are making names for themselves in the entertainment industry.
Hiskia Nemukula is one of them and he has returned to the studio once again to record his second full reggae album, titled Matula a lifhasi, which will be released at the end of July this year.
Nemukula shot attracted attention with the release of his debut gospel album, Golgotha, in 2013, and then went on to release a reggae single, titled Kurula Ma Africa, in 2020.
When asked why he had taken almost nine years to release his second album, Nemukula explained: "Music is very close to my heart, but my work as an entrepreneur keeps me busy. I travel across the country and outside our borders, doing construction work, and at times it becomes very difficult to focus on music only. Now that I am working closer to home, I decided to take some time off my busy schedule, so that I could record this album."
After recording his first album, he became friends with local musicians such as Kenny Murabi, Ananias Bengwa and Ras Canly, who inspired his love of reggae music. "Matula a lifhasi was influenced by these fellow musicians. Besides that, I came to realise that I can express myself better through reggae than through gospel music."
Like many other musicians, Nemukula too started singing in church at an early age as a member of the United African Apostolic Church (UAAC) choir. He then joined the band, Maungani Beuster Pioneers, from 1999 to 2000, where he sang alongside Afro-Jazz star Malondolo. He left Maungani Bester Pioneers to become a member of the Mianzwi Community Choir, until he went solo in 2012.
During the recording of Matula a lifhasi, which consists of seven upbeat tracks, Nemukula worked with Ras Canly, Baby M and Rofhiwa Nethwadzi. The album was recorded at DJ Takie Recording Studio, produced by Mathivha Shavhani, mixed and mastered by Zacharia Mathoho and marketed and distributed by Green Gold Productions.
The songs that will surely get reggae lovers dancing include Muvhuyan ndi nnnyi, Afrika Tshipembe, The land we belong, and Kurula Ma Africa.
For bookings, public performances, and music sales, Nemukula can be reached on 072 764 2838 or 082 515 5632.