Murendeni Madzhuta (27) of Maungani released her debut album, Murahu Athitshaya, at the end of last month.
She started singing in church in 2000 as a member of the community choir Pionious. According to her, she grew up listening to well-known singers such as Derick Nzimande and Rapson Rambuwani, and she drew inspiration from them.
Her debut album has seven tracks and she said that she sang about personal experiences “and what I see happening in my vicinity. I also give advice here and there through my music, and by the look of things, I will continue singing this type of music as it is proving very popular,” she added.
The tracks Khotsi anga, Nwananga and Riamulivhuwa are already very popular.
She sings the kind of songs that encourages understanding and respect within the family and in relationships. She also mentioned that, without God, people will not be able to enjoy life to the fullest. "We are all created in the image of God and we should pay back by praising Him. In my case, it is through music."
She mentioned that she was concerned to see that some young people are consuming liquor and some are using drugs. "I can see that you are all happy and you love my music. I am still going to give you more good music, but I have a concern as I have noticed that some of you are holding beer bottles. If you are consuming alcohol, please do it where there are no children, because it will create the wrong impression," she said.
She said the music industry was heading for a dead end because of piracy. “There are no more music shops in town, because they can not compete with these ruthless thieves who sell our music at next to nothing. Many in this industry have lost their jobs, and artists are now at the receiving end as their music is found on pavements and sold for as little as R10, with the money going to the pirates,” she said.
