High school students release album

Kezi-based African Stars music group has released a new album entitled Indlela.

The group is composed of students from Donkwe Donkwe High School in Matobo district, Matabeleland South Province.

The Afro-pop band was formed in 2010 and has nine members.

African Stars acting director Sukoluhle Fuyane said it took them a long time to record the eight-track album due to lack of funds.

"We applied for funding last year with an organisation that funds culture projects, but we got no response. We were hoping that they would give us the money since we are based in a rural area where getting money for recording is a tough task," Fuyane said.

"We are appealing to well-wishers to intervene and assist us meet our needs to run the group."

Indlela contains songs that encourage unity among people of various backgrounds.

The track, Emasikweni, encourages people to stick to their culture. It is done in Ndebele and Shona and says people in general should not lose focus on their cultural values.

Another song, Indlela Zakho, encourages Africans to unite.

It is also done in the two major local languages.

"The message we want to put across through the song is that we must unite as Africans. Africans must deal with their own problems and not have other people speaking on our behalf," Fuyane said.

The group was founded by Sehliselo Khumalo, who is also the composer of most of the songs.

Comments