Mundalamo releases new album

The award-winning Tshivenda musician, Marcus Mundalamo, has released his sixth album, called Corona 2022. The 10-track album was released earlier this year and features songs such as Vho-Khotsimunene, Khombo, and Hanga ponyi, which he hopes will entertain and inspire his fans.

The title track, Corona 2022, carries a significant message. “I want the people involved in stealing the money that is meant to help those who have been suffering because of the Covid-19 pandemic to be arrested and charged for their crimes,” he said.

The song Khombo warns young people to stay away from gangsters who abuse drugs and alcohol as it only damages one’s future.

Mundalamo (57), who was born and raised in the rural village of Tshififi, just outside Thohoyandou, says he was inspired by his late father, Nthambeleni Mundalamo, who was both a composer and a guitarist. “I used to hold my father’s guitar and pretend to be playing. I practised using old five-litre oil cans then,” he recalled.

He released his first album, Ndala ya Mashona, in 1999 but says it was not promoted well. He was spotted by PhalaPhala FM in 2005, who chose him to sing and dance at their roadshows, as well as on their Pick A Box show (called Tshibulebule in Tshivenda).

In 2010, Mundalamo was lured by Robert Mphephu, a businessman from the Thohoyandou area who owns NW Audiovisuals Centre, and he was finally able to share stages, sing and play guitar with the likes of well-known singers such as Ringo Majingosi, the Devera Ngwenya Jazz Band and Michael Jambo, to name but a few.

“I participated in different music categories organised by the South African Traditional Music Awards (SATMA) and won the Best Song of the Year award at the Tshivenda Music Awards (TSHIMA) in 2014, with a song called Vhudabadaba, which is from my Vhudabadaba album,” he said.

Corona 2022 was recorded at Rwista Pack Studios in Thohoyandou Unit E (formerly called Ha-Magidi village), which is owned by Mr Itani Sihadi.

For bookings and live performances, Mundalamo can be called at 079 155 2398 or 073 030 2361.

Entertainment - Date: 13 March 2022

Silas Nduvheni

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