Mahlalela actor turns to music

South Africa-based Zimbabwean film actor and producer Mthulisi Moyo, aka Mahlalela has temporarily "side-tracked" to music with his debut single set to be released at the end of this month.

The single also features South African Pop star Freddy Gwala.

Famed for his dramas under his trade name Mahlalela, Moyo told The Standard Style that his forthcoming offering, a sungura/rhumba single titled Umhlaba Ujikile, is featured on a new album of sungura outfit Mbarura Express, fronted by Lovemore Muzondiwa.

"I have a new single on which I was assisted by Lovemore Muzondiwa and his Mbarura Express. The single is featured on the group's forthcoming album titled Zero to Hero," Moyo said.

"I also roped in former [Alick] Macheso drummer Obert Gomba and my song is the sixth track on Muzondiwa's album."

Moyo, who made headlines when he featured comedian-cum musician Freddy "Kapfupi" Manjalima and Gwala in one of his dramas, said he was not quitting acting for good.

"I believe I am an all-rounder. I love acting and I cannot say I have quit what I like doing. It's only that music is one way of reaching out to people," he said.

"My message in that song is clear. I am advising youths to preserve their culture, which I believe has been eroded by westernisation."

The Filabusi-born artiste said he was also working on an album that is expected to be released early next year.

He said the album, Zero to Hero, would be marketed and distributed by Diamond Studios.

Moyo, who has been in the arts industry for the past 10 years, has produced a number of projects, including dramas Phandile, Uthando, Mahlalela 1 and 2, and Mahlalela Inalithi, which features veteran South African actor Vusi Thanda, popularly known as Tshwawe.