Takalani returns to the studio after 20 years

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The challenges and politics faced by so many budding musicians in the eighties were just too much for Tshivenda-music master guitarist Takalani Muvhango, so he never recorded a song to be released for his fans. This only happened in 2010 when “Vhomuvhango” was recorded. That was also the last time Muvhango saw the inside of a recording studio.

But, as so often happens to people who were just born to make music, that bug bit him again, and Muvhango is back once more with a sizzling two-track release called “Mia Angy”. The 63-year-old from Hamukoma A Sina Nndu is determined to revive original Tshivenda traditional music. “Mia Angy” is a collaboration with fellow veteran musician Ishy Malala and was recorded under the Tshivenda Traditional Music Organization label. The other track on the album is called “Tshikongomoti”.

Muvhango said he learned to play the guitar from one of the finest guitarists to have emerged from this area, the legendary late Eric Mukhese. He said he had never quit playing his guitar and had composed dozens of songs over the years. “The music industry was not friendly back then. There were only a few recording companies, and almost all were based in Joburg. This posed a lot of challenges for artists from rural areas who did not even have a place to sleep while recording. In those times, you had to play what the producer wanted, and your own creativity was worthless. Artists were paid peanuts, as producers would just tell you your music did not sell. I was so discouraged and left the music scene. Now that conditions have improved, with so many studios having sprung up in townships and villages as well, I am back on my feet and would like to contribute to the music space.”

Muvhango said Tshivenda traditional music had been ignored and sidelined for a long time when it came to live performances. “It is time for Tshivenda traditional music to take its rightful place. I have a lot of material and will soon be dropping a full album,” Muvhango said.

The single is self-marketed and will soon be available on all digital platforms.

By: Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019.