Musicians sometimes lose their “muse” or the mythical inspiration that fuels their creativity. In Vhembe, however, artists often stop producing music for a much more practical reason: a lack of money.
This was the case for Ronewa Mukheli of Lwamondo. In 2019, he recorded the album Ndo mu wana Mutshidzi but then went into hiatus. He found himself unemployed and lacked the means or inspiration to produce new music.
However, the wheels of fortune can turn, albeit slowly, and by late 2023, Mukheli secured employment with a local security company. In December of that year, he recorded his second offering, Kahuredwe dzina Lavho. The five-track EP, featuring the title tracks Kahuredwe dzina Lavho and Ndina Murena, was completed in January this year.
To celebrate this milestone, Mukheli is set to launch and promote the new EP in style. The much-anticipated launch will take place at the House of New Revelation and Praise Ministry in Vhufuli, outside Thohoyandou, on 31 August.
Mukheli said preparations for the event were almost complete. “This is going to be one of the great gospel music events this year. I left nothing to chance; we are prepared and have thoroughly rehearsed for this show. I have also enlisted some of my friends, including Cedrick Nepile, Elisa, Faith Donatello, and Phumzi Rams, among others, who are prominent gospel names, as supporting acts during the launch,” he said.
He added that to celebrate the occasion, he would be performing some songs for the very first time on stage. “We do not get enough airplay on radio stations, and this is an opportunity to showcase our music to the masses. Performing live is one of the best ways to market our music. When people see you perform, they come to love your music even more. We will continue to do this as artists,” Mukheli said.
