Duo captivates passers-by with energetic performance, bringing excitement and joy to the community.
A small crowd did not deter two musicians from giving a stellar performance on Bertha Street, Braamfontein on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.
Their soulful performance left the small audience in awe, and passers-by were so captivated they would stop for a moment to listen to singer and guitarist, Zimbabwe-born Vusumuzi Mkandla, and guitarist Nkanyezi Mazibuko who hails from KwaZulu-Natal.
The duo performed songs by well-known South African musicians including the likes of Zahara, Nathi Mankayi and the late Robbie Malinga. Mkandla’s countryman, the late Oliver Mtukudzi, also featured in their list of songs, as did Tracy Chapman, Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber.
They told Wits Vuvuzela that this was their first time busking in Braamfontein and they appreciated the warm reception and monetary contributions as a token of appreciation, encouragement and support.
“I am still quite new in the industry,” said Mkandla. “I started playing the guitar in 2019/20 and started singing in 2022.”
The two met on social media platform TikTok in January and decided to collaborate. In March they established their music production company, Mbuso Production, with the hope that one day they would build a musical empire that would connect people, especially in Africa, through music.
“We usually perform at the streets in Maboneng, and we’ve just begun doing gigs at a local restaurant in Maboneng called Bertrand Café,” Mazibuko said.
A woman who was in the small crowd said that this was a welcome experience for her because school had drained her. “I enjoyed the performance,” she said.
Mazibuko and Mkandla ended with a performance of their very first original song titled Inyok’encane. They plan to release their first joint extended play (EP) in July followed by Mkandla’s second album in September.
FEATURED IMAGE: Vusumuzi Mkandla and Nkanyezi Mazibuko perform in front of a small crowd in Braamfontein. Photo: Ayanda Mgwenya
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