The popular Tshivenda expression Ipfhi la mufu a li pfhukwi — loosely translated as "never ignore the instruction from the deceased" — is proving true for Nnzekiseni Cedrick Mathoho of Tshiombo village, outside Thohoyandou.
Nnzekiseni is the son of the late Tshivenda mbila (hand piano) pioneer, Vhavenda Vho Kanakana Jutas Mathoho, who was popularly known as Vho JK Mathoho. Before his death, Vho JK instructed that his mbila be handed down to Nnzekiseni, so that his musical legacy could live on.
Barely six months after his father's passing, Nnzekiseni has honoured that wish. A farmer and a man of the cloth, he made time to juggle his various roles and fulfil his late father's request. With the same mbila once played by Vho JK, Nnzekiseni last week released his debut extended play (EP), titled MaAfrika.
Speaking to Limpopo Mirror, Nnzekiseni said: "My father told everyone in the family that I should keep his mbila when he dies and I should continue to promote his legacy. Since then, this thought-provoking idea never went off my mind because I had to fulfil what the old man wanted me to do. Now that I have fulfilled his wish, I am very sure that he is now smiling wherever he is."
Asked whether he had long been a skilled mbila player, he replied: "I used to play my father's mbila occasionally, just for pleasure. But when he pronounced that I must keep his mbila when he dies, I became very serious and rehearsed, playing this mighty instrument every day. My father was very happy with my mbila-playing skills and he kept on encouraging me to work hard. Hence, today, I have made him proud, even though he is no longer alive."
About the new EP he said: "MaAfrika has four tracks that have already forced traditional music lovers to put their dancing shoes on. The tracks are MaAfrika, Nga tshilidzi, Zwi Ben 10 and Tshikona. I have given myself enough time to prepare for these songs, so that they can thrill everyone who loves Tshivenda traditional music."
Recorded and mastered at Tshau Studios in Tshaulu, all the tracks on the EP were composed by Nnzekiseni and produced by well-known music producer Ishy Malala.