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Zimbabwean artiste strikes it big in SA

by Nkosana Sibanda
01 Apr 2014 at 09:33hrs | Views
When the choir master instructed him to lead during concerts, little did Mothusi 'Bashimane' Ndlovu from Gwanda, Matabeleland South, knew that he would one day be a seasoned musician, actor, poet, producer and composer.

His arts career kicked off when he met a friend, renowned Bulawayo playwright, Desire Moyo, after finishing secondary school, who then introduced him to the world of theatre and acting.

In all the plays Moyo wrote, Ndlovu was cast as the main actor and a composer for songs used in the productions.

Armed with his talent and experience, Ndlovu crossed to South Africa in 2003 for greener pastures.

He worked with different groups both as an actor/theatre director and a music composer.

In 2005, he featured in one of the episodes of Zero Tolerance which was shown on SABC 2 before doing an advert for one of the mobile network companies, Vodacom, in 2010 in preparation for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

On the other hand he continued composing music as it was his first love and also because he had a dream of being a renowned music producer.

Around October 2010, Bashimane started a production/recording company called Shilolo Media with the aim of discovering raw talent and putting his works into good use for the world to hear and see.

The first artiste to be signed under the stable was Peggy Nare who went on to release a gospel album titled Uthuleleni which is still doing well on the market. Nine tracks from the 10-track album were composed and produced by Ndlovu.

In 2012, he released, marketed and distributed through his Shilolo Music Company his nine-track debut album titled Vukani.

He is currently in the studio recording his second album to be released in the last quarter of the year.

Last year, Bashimane ventured into the film industry when he penned and produced his first ever comedy Madlela-Sikhobokhobo Power.

He also acts in the comedy as the nonsensical Madlela, a man who came unannounced all the way from Nkayi to visit his nephew Mazinyane who stays in Hillbrow, Joburg.

"Madlela is an excellent piece that is slowly opening doors for Shilolo Media as many people are highly impressed with the talent shown," said Ndlovu adding that the sky was the limit for him as he was looking forward to many doors opening for him in South Africa.

Source - Zim Mail