Musician Zwivhuya Makondelele, better known as Moque Slenderboy in music circles, has come a long way since he served as a backup dancer in 2010 for the then little-known singer Makhadzi.
When he performed on stage back then, he was only 31 years old and filled with dreams. The young man from Fondwe in Nzhelele released his first album, Tshimange, in 2015, followed by Mmbwa Yanga in 2017. He has since released two more albums, the latest being Malisa Mbilu, which was launched in 2023. In between, he has released five singles and one EP, and he has not looked back.
On Wednesday, 16 October, he made a comeback by releasing a new single, Vunumuthekhe. It is a traditional malende song, but Moque Slenderboy has transformed its sound by fusing Western instruments to appeal to his target market, which is the youth.
This single, recorded at BBM Studio Mianzwi, features collaborations with DJ Tacky and DJ R Boy.
"It is very hard to release a complete album these days. I am recording singles as part of a full album project to be released before the end of this year. I am an all-rounder who can play all genres of music. Vunumuthekhe is a traditional malende dance song where I fused modern instruments to create this unique sound," he said.
Makondelele stated that he was inspired by the everyday challenges he observed, especially among the youth. His latest release carries the message that they should avoid involvement in criminality. "I am also showcasing my versatility as a musician capable of performing across all music genres. My fans are very happy and impressed by this project, which is trending on social media. They are also in for a good Christmas treat as I will be releasing my album soon. It is packed with hits. Just watch this space," he said.