Musina-based singer/songwriter Bernard Tshibemuda Ndou will be releasing his seventh rhumba album, called Ubvelela (to be successful), at the end of November - just in time for the festive season.
Ndou (37), who is also a composer, guitarist and dancer, has his own band, called Bernard Tshibemuda & Uvuwa na u ima Express. He started his music career in his teens when, in 2004, he rubbed shoulders with successful Zimbabwean musicians in Johannesburg. From that time on he has never let his rhumba fans down.
The new album contains six tracks, which includes songs such as U bvelela, Mulalo, The General and Ubvelela (title track). "It took me nearly six months to compose the album. I really wanted songs that my fans will enjoy during the festive season and beyond. The album's message is that every person was created to prosper, irrespective of challenges; it is only a matter of time before one breaks into prosperity." He encourages his fans not to stop praying for prosperity.
In May this year, Ndou was nominated for the best Rhumba album at the Amaqhawanentaba Music Awards. Amaqhawanentaba FM, an online radio station based at Orange Grove in Gauteng, launched the awards last year with the intention to honour South African artists for their contribution to the arts industry. Unfortunately, the award went to another artist, but Ndou is optimistic that he will carry his own award home one of these days.