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When you listen to some hit songs of music heavyweights such as Lufuno Dagada, Thili Maumela, Worship House, Anointed Worship, Lwei Netshivhale, Richie Imani, Ailwei Mudzuli and the late Mpho Regalo, you undoubtedly realise that the bass line, which is the backbone of their music’s harmony, is pitched professionally and with distinction. The man behind this distinctive expertise is none other than Maanda Nenguda of Mukula village, outside Thohoyandou. A bass guitarist of note, Nenguda leaves music lovers crying for more whenever he touches his treasured five-string bass guitar.
A qualified sound engineer, Nenguda says he fell in love with music at a very young age. “My father used to own a guitar that was used as a decoration at home. Nobody was allowed to touch that guitar and we would get a serious hiding whenever we touched it. I got in trouble many times with my father for stealing the guitar, but that did not stop me from playing it. Realising that I kept on stealing the guitar, my father ended up giving it to me as a gift. That was when everyone in the family realised that I was good at playing the guitar.”
He says that he turned professional in 1999 when he used to play bass guitar in various churches around his village. “That was when I started to have invitations from artists who wanted me to record with them or do live performances. Around 2000, the demand became huge because every big artist wanted me to play their bass line, either in concerts or at recording sessions. I then realised that I have distinctive bass guitar playing skills, and I continued working very hard to refine my gift.”
The self-taught bass guitarist says he invests most of his time in rehearsals. “I make sure that I play my bass guitar every day while, at the same time, learning new skills. Music evolves every day and one must make sure that he fits well with the changes. By giving yourself time to learn new things, you easily become part of the changes that the world faces on a daily basis.”
If he is not playing bass guitar for other artists, Nenguda spends time in his recording studio, which is based in Soshanguve in Gauteng. He is currently working with Lufuno Dagada, Richie Imani and Ailwei Mudzuli in his studio. He encourages aspirant musicians not to venture into music for money. “The most important thing is to do what you love; thereafter, success will follow you.”
As part of his community-building initiatives, he is willing to transfer his bass-guitar skills to budding musicians at no cost. Young musicians who want to learn bass-guitar playing skills can contact him on 0768908189 (voice calls and WhatsApp), Facebook (Maanda W Nenguda) or Instagram (Maanda Bassist).
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Maanda Nenguda is a prolific bass guitarist whose skills have earned him respect in the South African music industry. Photo: supplied.
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