Music and school can mix, says 14-year-old Rotondwa Ndou of Madimbo village outside Musina. A Grade 9 learner at Lwaphungu High School, Ndou has already released two albums and she is working on her third one, to be released next month.
Going by her stage name of Sesi Wa Muimbi, the little star is an inspiration to many young people in Madimbo and the surrounding villages. Her beautiful voice and acrobatic dancing moves have earned her respect amongst her peers in the music industry.
“I used to sing at Sunday school in church, and everyone appreciated my voice. Even at school, I used to lead songs during assembly, and it made my teachers and fellow pupils happy. One day, I told my parents that I wanted to be a music star and they promised to support me as long as I did not neglect my schoolwork.”
She said her father, Mr Never Ndou, booked a studio for her in 2018. Her mother, Mpho Malitsha, “was always on my side and encouraged me to be focused. I was a little bit nervous when I went to studio for the first time, but I adjusted as time went by. That was when I recorded my first album, Mpho yanga. The album was a hit and local people bought it in large numbers. It was always played in taxis, local shops and people’s homes and that made me happy.”
Sesi said she returned to the studio last year and recorded another album, Tshisima. “This one was also played on radio and it is still receiving airplay on Musina FM. I used to perform in various public places to promote it, and it also sold a lot of copies. Releasing the second album never distracted me from doing my schoolwork and I continued to impress my parents and my teachers with my schoolwork.”
Her third album, entitled Mikovhe ya tshilidzi, will be released next month. She added: "My music is a mix of house, kwasa kwasa and manyalo. Mikovhe ya tshilidzi has songs such as U ya tonga, U khou vha vhona, Zwivhuya, Kandani, U fha ndi u fhahea, Vhangana vhanga and Makhulu. I have no doubt that, like my two previous albums, Mikovhe ya tshilidzi will do well in the music circles.”
She said she would never sacrifice her education for music. “Education is my first love, and it will open many doors for me. If I am educated, I will be able to manage my music career with ease.”
Sesi Wa Muimbi can be contacted on 072 724 3461.
