Self-taught bass guitarist Nkanukeni Zebulon Mbevhana released two singles last Friday. The tracks are taken from his upcoming album, which is set to be released in May this year.
The album is being recorded at his self-built studio in Khubvi village. The two singles, Ndo Zama Zwothe and Vhutshilo, were released last week.
When asked why he had chosen to release only two singles from the six-track album, Mbevhana said the messages in these songs were particularly important to his supporters and the public.
"It is important for my fans to hear the message in these two songs as soon as possible. The song Ndo Zama Zwothe (literally translated as 'I have tried everything') is a plea to men to stop marrying women they don't know. You have to take time to get to know them before tying the knot," he said.
He added that one of the reasons men were killing their wives nowadays was because they felt trapped in abusive marriages. "This song is a call for Africans to return to their cultural roots when it comes to marriage. In most cases, we are only called husbands for what we can provide, rather than for our role as the head of the family. We no longer have the power to lead our families as men. Women have taken over, and to be honest, we are suffering," he said.
The second track, Vhutshilo (Life), reflects on the struggles of modern life. "Nowadays, once our children start working, they abandon us as parents. They move to the suburbs with their wives, leaving their parents to suffer in the villages," he said.
Mbevhana is urging African traditionalists to embrace their cultural heritage and live according to their traditions.
He first made national headlines in 2021 when, at the age of 59, he built his own recording studio at home. Using egg boxes for soundproofing, he successfully created a functional studio, where he has since recorded four albums.