Siganunu believes reggae soothes the soul

     Music

After being involved in music for more than two decades, Azwinndini "Siganunu" Ramudzuli has finally released his debut album, Tshikhahti Tshashu.

The seven-track album puts Siganunu among dozens of reggae artists found in Vhembe. While many believe the standard of reggae music in high in the district, Siganunu (34) believes his album will be more welcome because of the commitment and effort he invested in his work.

"I started singing at the age of 13 and recorded a demo and started performing in front of retail shops and social gatherings. I followed reggae because it had always been a peaceful music that has been used to send messages to the people. This music helps the community because it advises the community about life and opens their minds about things that are going to happen in their lives."

He adds that reggae is also good as food for the souls of the "broken ones". It also entertains people of all ages as it uses "clean language," said Siganunu, a final-year HR student at the Tshisimani campus of the Vhembe FET.

Among his seven tracks is an interesting track called Nsati wa mina Malamulele. This song talks about the undying love between a boyfriend (Thohoyandou) and his girlfriend, Malamulele. The song talks about many people who promised to love each other to death, but they broke up because of interference from other people. The lover, Thulamela, is pleading with his lover, Malamulele, to stick to the promise of loving each other until death.

Asked why he used this narrative, Siganunu said he was concerned about the differences between the Venda-speaking people from Thulamela and Tsonga speakers from Malamulele over the new municipality. "This debate divided the two groups who used to be very close to each other. I don't think enough was done to remind the two groups about their history and bond that date back to years and years ago," said Siganunu.

Entertainment - Date: 26 August 2016

Ndivhuwo Musetha

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