Tsonga rapper Wisani Nebodzandala, better known as Nebo Sixfour, from Elim Mabobo, released his latest and final album, Makwavo, on 7 November as he stepped away from the music industry. Despite having many fans, he said the struggle to make a living from music had forced him to walk away.
The 12-track album opens with Katika Boti ("It's Hard, Brother"), featuring Inaluk and Roberta The Poet. The song highlights the challenges of growing up with water shortages and limited job opportunities, even for the qualified.
"It's very hard. My late grandmother used to cry about the water shortage, and now, in 2025, people are still complaining about the same issue while having to buy water. To get a job, you may have to pay a bribe or have a well-known surname. This can make a person lose hope. Being poor is hard, and that's why most people don't vote," he said.
Nebo Sixfour's love of music began at Djunane High School. His first album, Nkelunkelu, featured 14 tracks, including Xiluva with Emcstyle SA, and helped him build a following on the Tsonga music scene.
Makwavo is a collection of songs he created over several years. The beats were produced by Tervo Swengs and feature artists such as Dopekid Shewacher, Mo Love and Uncle B, as well as poets such as Hosi Kotini and Ndhavuko N'wa Swiphato.
He said he had considered taking a break from music, but inspiration had struck in 2019. "I don't search for ideas; I sing about what's happening around me. I wanted to release an album where, even if I leave the music industry, I will have left a mark," he said.
Fans have praised the album for its reflection of lived experiences. But despite his dedication, financial pressures pushed him to step away. "As I grew older, I realised that my gift sometimes felt like a curse. I have many fans, but nobody is often really there when I need support. Ten years in the industry, and I'm still broke, with bills to pay," he said.