Martin 'The BigBoss' Sibanda speaks on criminals and new album

The Zimbabwean rhumba music band - Martin and Ndolwane Super Sounds is currently working on a campaign aimed at combating crime in Zimbabwe and abroad. Meanwhile, a new album is being finalised in Johannesburg.

Exactly four years after the release of "Bakhuzeni" album, the 'Amajongosi' front man and 'Bakhuzeni' hit-maker, Martin Sibanda, has decided to demonstrate what his track "Baphindile' really meant to the society.  

The track "Baphindile" pours out in a dialogue style between a father and son, in which the father advises his son not to come home for Christmas because some criminals are on a killing spree. These criminals have terrorised the community  to such an extent that the villagers even fear to  point them out.

Thematically, the song is against crime and with his never ending pursuit for a civilised society, the Bigboss, in April 2016 then committed himself in a partnership with Zimbabwe Republic Police in an attempt to combat crime in Matabeleland North province.

Switchbod Arts Magazine caught up with Sibanda's manager Denzel Dube in Johannesburg ,who said his artist "has proved that his fight against crime goes beyond singing itself as he also drills down to its roots to eradicate it from the heart of the macro-community."

Dube also emphasised that 'Martin-Ndolwane' music brand is coloured with humanity and their music cuts across all ethnic, tribal and racial dichotomies. He further emphasised that he wishes to see other artists and promoters joining hands with them to curb crime, "one would agree such is what our community needs," he said.

Switchbod  Arts Magazine has it that the Big-Boss is still pressing  on his operation dubbed as "unwavering in adversity". Those who understand the history of Ndolwane and the revolution of rhumba music need no introduction to the rough patches the artist have come across.

Commenting on the cancelled event, Dube said "the campaign is still going, although the Whange show was cancelled due to national protests but it has been rescheduled for 30 September 2016 at the same venue." The organisers are non other than the law enforcement agents themselves-ZRP.

Switchbod is further informed that on (1) October 2016 the Bigboss will share the stage with   Aleck Macheso at Chinotimba stadium.

In all these programmes the band still needs financial backing, "we need sponsors for these events. People must come forward and support this initiative as it also benefits all in terms of information dissemination and educational connotations," Dube said.

So far the band is in alliance with the Police force and the Plan International. This triple alliance also focuses on early and unplanned child pregnancies, youth delinquency and substance abuse, "we are partnering with Plan International trying to save children from early and unplanned marriages. It is still a big challenge in Zimbabwe especially considering hunger and illiteracy , some parents still force their children into planned marriages in an attempt to gain lobola money," Dube said in deep heart.

Although Sibanda spends most of his time with band members in Zimbabwe, he is always available for his South African business.

When asked about his drive for humanity ,the manager confirmed that his artist is a very professional person, who grew up in the rural areas of Ndolwane and attended his higher education in Mbakwe mission, hence he is well versed with all social ills of his place of origin. Again, the Bigboss is said to be a good researcher and an online man whenever offstage, hence his music is always reflecting informed thematic aspects.

Although the management talks about "Baphindile" now, but Switchbod Arts Magazine has it that "Bakhuzeni" remains a sing-along track. It has all the ingredients to remain top. With the ever improving bands, we are yet to see who is who in the popular Zimbabwean music genre as fellow artists continue dropping albums.

As expected, the band is about to break the long silence in terms of a new release, "yes, the new album will be available this year, at the moment we are still busy with it, no date set yet. In the meantime let the fans gear up for the humdinger  upcoming show scheduled for (5)November at Safari hotel in Johannesburg," Dube concluded.

For more info visit the official website : www.martinandndolwane.com  
And also check on Facebook page: Martin and Ndolwane