Nqindi drops debut CD

Popular Gwanda poet Lerato "Nqindi" Ndlovu has recorded poems on a CD, which include a house track.

Future Moyo, founder of Usungulo Arts in South Africa, told The Standard Style last week that they were finalising the eight-track album that traces the history of Mthwakazi traditional leaders. He said the CD would be released soon.

"In honour of Nqindi and in an attempt to revive Ndebele praise poetry, the legendary poet has gone into the studio to record an eight-track album that traces the history of izinduna [Mthwakazi traditional leaders]," Moyo said.

The album is part of the Usungulo Arts consultancy project that is aimed at improving the teaching and conceptualisation of African traditional performances, oral literature and theatre trends in Zimbabwe.

The CD will be accompanied by a DVD that captures some of Nqindi's live performances. It will also be used in the teaching of arts and culture as part of teaching aids in schools.

"Part Two of Nqindi's legacy features poems by Future KaJamelah taken from The Voices from the Caves and Iphika Liyangiphikisa, Nqindi's hit poems like Samora Machel, Isililo Somkhobo and others, that will be sourced from the published Ndebele poetry anthologies," he said.

"As an organisation, we responded to the call by powering the project in South Africa. Through Ithuba Lami Project, we will give Nqindi a chance to be heard and be celebrated globally while he is still alive. We are giving him roses while he can still smell them."

Nqindi's DVD would feature a lecturer from the University of Zimbabwe who talks about oral literature and the role of praise poetry.

Moyo said he was funding the project after the poet approached him in 2014.

"I don't have a funder. All costs are covered from my pocket. What drove me is that in 2014 when I was appointed by the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe to direct the Rainbow Province Arts Festival, Nqindi explained to me how the industry had failed him," Moyo said.

"The story touched me because I grew up admiring him. So, it pained me to see my celebrity retiring without a CD.
He announced his retirement in the presence of Abednicho Ncube [Rural Development, Preservation and Promotion of Culture and Heritage minister] and when I came to South Africa, I established an arts consultancy company that has now helped many Zimbabwean artists to publish books, get marketing services, recording deals, website designing and media coverage," he said.

Moyo said Nqindi had sung praises of almost every leader, ethnic group and wants to make sure his legacy lives forever.

"I want to make sure Nqindi's legacy lives forever. I am pained by other artists who have used Nqindi's name in projects where himself doesn't gain anything," he said.

"People like to ride on his name, even other leaders shamefully want him at their events, even personal family gatherings. But when it's time for him to seek help, they shun him. No one has praised, raised or uploaded him."