Entertainment / Celebrity
Jeys Marabini exposed
28 Jun 2015 at 09:41hrs | Views
ON stage he dazzles fans with a hard unforgettable act that is usually punctuated with energetic dances while dishing out timeless acoustic tunes that take one down a rural life lane.
He is probably one of the most successful musicians from Bulawayo and is currently working on his eighth album - but Majahawodwa Ndlovu or simply Jeys Marabini as he is popularly known in the showbiz industry also has a life outside music.
This week Sunday Leisure visited the Bulawayo artiste at his Nkulumane home to find out what the artiste does when he is not behind the microphone, playing his guitar, rehearsing or not on stage.
The house that Jeys lives in is a moderate one. It was built from his earnings as a musician, something that many musicians from Bulawayo have failed to do, more so because of the economic challenges. Their plight is further exacerbated by the scourge of piracy that is eating into their artistic work.
The mere dream of owning houses and cars, let alone sleek ones, therefore remains shadowy and unreal to many artistes as its fulfilment is proving painful if not impossible.
But for Jeys (44), his perseverance in the music industry has surely paid him. He said it did not come easy but through a combination of dedication, courage and hard work.
The renowned Bulawayo musician is a proud owner of a sleek black Mercedes Benz. He also has a commuter omnibus written in bold letters Kozekulunge — the name of the band - which was also parked in the driveway. The kombi is used by the band.
When the Sunday Leisure crew arrived at his home, he was just coming from rehearsals at his makeshift backyard studio.
Although the muso looked tired from a long day of rehearsing, he was relaxed and invited the news crew into his house.
"I have been practising since 8am and this is the time I get to spend with my family. I am preparing for my eighth album that is coming soon and these days we are always busy," said Jeys. Being a breadwinner for the family, the acoustic singer has taken the bull by its horns and supports his family that evidently looks happy around their father.
His main source of income is music and he said he was inspired by the moral support that he receives from his family.
"The music industry is not about rushing to become a celebrity. Celebrity life is not equals money as many may be misled into believing. I started music as far back as 1990 when I used to sing imbube music and I have progressed significantly. My desire to work is further boosted by the fact that I am supported by my family," he said.
With all the glitz and glamour that is synonymous with celebrity life, one would expect such an iconic artiste to be caught in the same web of being a womaniser, a trap that many artistes have fallen into but Jeys said as much as he was human, he had tried to maintain his discipline in dealing with the fairer sex. He said his discipline is complemented by a happy family life that he was living.
"I basically have a happy family life, and as you can see I have two young sons, one 12 and the other six. I have always treasured my family and to me it is my duty to take care of them. I am not perfect as well, but discipline within these young artistes is something that we expect," he said.
Having grown up in the rural areas of Filabusi in Matabeleland South Province where he discovered his talent for music in the church, he has not changed much as his background can be heard in the social commentaries of his music.
"I was part of the Brethren in Christ Church and I have carried out the dictates of that church for some time now. Decency has taken me this far," he said.
The visibly expecting wife who has been with Jeys for 13 years could not hide her joy at the artiste's achievements.
"He has been very supportive towards his family. I believe his honesty has taken him this far in the music and entertainment industry as well. He also separates his music time and family time," said Jeys' wife Fatima.
Jeys lost his parents in a car accident in 2012, but said he had gone past the heartfelt loss and is now fully concentrating on his music career where his star is shining.
He is probably one of the most successful musicians from Bulawayo and is currently working on his eighth album - but Majahawodwa Ndlovu or simply Jeys Marabini as he is popularly known in the showbiz industry also has a life outside music.
This week Sunday Leisure visited the Bulawayo artiste at his Nkulumane home to find out what the artiste does when he is not behind the microphone, playing his guitar, rehearsing or not on stage.
The house that Jeys lives in is a moderate one. It was built from his earnings as a musician, something that many musicians from Bulawayo have failed to do, more so because of the economic challenges. Their plight is further exacerbated by the scourge of piracy that is eating into their artistic work.
The mere dream of owning houses and cars, let alone sleek ones, therefore remains shadowy and unreal to many artistes as its fulfilment is proving painful if not impossible.
But for Jeys (44), his perseverance in the music industry has surely paid him. He said it did not come easy but through a combination of dedication, courage and hard work.
The renowned Bulawayo musician is a proud owner of a sleek black Mercedes Benz. He also has a commuter omnibus written in bold letters Kozekulunge — the name of the band - which was also parked in the driveway. The kombi is used by the band.
When the Sunday Leisure crew arrived at his home, he was just coming from rehearsals at his makeshift backyard studio.
Although the muso looked tired from a long day of rehearsing, he was relaxed and invited the news crew into his house.
"I have been practising since 8am and this is the time I get to spend with my family. I am preparing for my eighth album that is coming soon and these days we are always busy," said Jeys. Being a breadwinner for the family, the acoustic singer has taken the bull by its horns and supports his family that evidently looks happy around their father.
His main source of income is music and he said he was inspired by the moral support that he receives from his family.
"The music industry is not about rushing to become a celebrity. Celebrity life is not equals money as many may be misled into believing. I started music as far back as 1990 when I used to sing imbube music and I have progressed significantly. My desire to work is further boosted by the fact that I am supported by my family," he said.
With all the glitz and glamour that is synonymous with celebrity life, one would expect such an iconic artiste to be caught in the same web of being a womaniser, a trap that many artistes have fallen into but Jeys said as much as he was human, he had tried to maintain his discipline in dealing with the fairer sex. He said his discipline is complemented by a happy family life that he was living.
"I basically have a happy family life, and as you can see I have two young sons, one 12 and the other six. I have always treasured my family and to me it is my duty to take care of them. I am not perfect as well, but discipline within these young artistes is something that we expect," he said.
Having grown up in the rural areas of Filabusi in Matabeleland South Province where he discovered his talent for music in the church, he has not changed much as his background can be heard in the social commentaries of his music.
"I was part of the Brethren in Christ Church and I have carried out the dictates of that church for some time now. Decency has taken me this far," he said.
The visibly expecting wife who has been with Jeys for 13 years could not hide her joy at the artiste's achievements.
"He has been very supportive towards his family. I believe his honesty has taken him this far in the music and entertainment industry as well. He also separates his music time and family time," said Jeys' wife Fatima.
Jeys lost his parents in a car accident in 2012, but said he had gone past the heartfelt loss and is now fully concentrating on his music career where his star is shining.
Source - sundaynews
