Jeanette Nkanyane, known to many as Jininka, officially released her sixth album, titled Ni Do Farwa, at Sawuboma Music Jam in Soweto on 27 November.
Fellow musicians travelled all the way from Vhembe and around Gauteng in support of Jininka's latest project launch. The event was graced by live performances, with a full-complement reggae band and supported by several artists who did a fine job of entertaining the fans.
The eight-track reggae album, containing hits such as Ni Do Farwa, Mulitsheni and Ndi A Ni Funa, was released under the OneStep Music label, produced by Mr Mukosi Netshiheni, recorded at Masana Studios in Soweto and mixed and mastered by DJ Davic.
"The album carries messages of love and encouragement, and speaks out about social ills. Each song is a masterpiece with an unambiguous message," said Jininka.
The album features the likes of Humbulani Ramagwedzha, Romeo ThaGreatWhite and Rea'Nay Toofab.
"The title track, Ni do Farwa, is a reggae song that warns against gender-based violence, which continues to cripple our social moral fibre every day," she said. "Most of the songs are linked to each other. Munna wa u todelwa relays a message from a woman who declines a forced and arranged marriage. Arranged marriages often result in abuse because, besides the fact that they did not agree to the union, the couple do not know each other, which makes it hard to connect."
As a young girl, Jininka listened to the soulful sounds of Dr Irene Mawela on cassettes with great adoration and never imagined that this legendary Afro-soul singer would one day feature on one of her (Jininka's) own projects.
Jininka, who is from Ravele village, is very passionate about music. "I started singing in The Holy Servants Choir at Ravele village, and at five I was the youngest member," she recalled with a smile.
In 2011, she scooped up a SATMA award for Best Venda Album with her fourth album, Ndi Muvenda. "In Ndi Muvenda, I reclaimed my position in society as a disciplined woman who respects her culture, a mother and not only a member of a community, but a member of society as a whole," she said.
Her first album, titled Love Life (with the hit track Ni tshi tamba) was released in the early 2000s and received acclaim from many parts of the country because of its infusion of reggae, Afro-jazz and Afro-soul. Her music is laden with rich lyrics of reproach, encouragement and motivation for those who listen to it.
"My festive wish to all the fans and people of South Africa is that we continue to look after ourselves, protect and guard against Covid-19, be safe on the roads and have fun responsibly throughout the festive holidays, until we meet again in 2022. Enjoy the music, spread the message of love and fight against gender-based violence. I love you all."
Jininka Nkanyane can be followed on social media and reached on Tel 071 879 1988. Ni Do Farwa is available on CD and on all digital music platforms.