Godolude steadily establishing fan base in Botswana

WHILE most rhumba musicians have made South Africa their second home, Mandlenkosi "Godolude" Mpofu has gone a different route and is steadily establishing a new market in Botswana where he recently launched his first solo album, i-Target.

The musician hardly goes a month without performing in the neighbouring country where he says there is a vast market for Zimbabwean music, more so, the rhumba genre.

"People in Botswana love our dance moves. They also love rhumba music very much. They watch our videos on YouTube and book us for performances. Remember, there are a lot of people who speak the Kalanga language in that country and a good number of Zimbabweans based there as well.

"Most rhumba artistes love South Africa so I decided to try out penetrating Botswana and it's working very well for the band. We even launched our album there and the reception was fantastic," Godolude said.

Having made his name as a dancer of repute for his former paymasters Clement Magwaza and Fiselani Ngwenya of Mlambos Express Band, the dancer-cum-musician says he is on a journey to make a name for himself.

Recently, he parted ways with his sidekick, Amkela "Amzoe" Ncube whom he started singing with when he changed roles from being a dancer to a singer in 2018. Together, they recorded four albums.

I-Target is Godolude's first solo album with his Friendly Brothers band also known as Eze Energy due to their high-tempo dance moves.

"The new album is doing very well and people have accepted me as a lead vocalist because they relate to my compositions. I strive to balance the message and entertainment in my music because we make more money through live shows so my songs have to be danceable, but at the same time, they must have a message. For those who've seen us performing live, they'll confess that we're at another level," said the artiste.

The album features songs, Indaba yakoZililo, Amadimoni, Umlilo kababa, Inkinga Zothando, Okwelitshe lerekeni and 120 Akulalwa.

To promote the album, the artiste said he has a couple of shows lined up for the festive season.

Sharing his plans for the future, Godolude said: "I want to grow as a solo artiste and win awards. It's also my wish to set up a dancing school that will teach rhumba dance moves so that I pass on the knowledge that I have to up-and-coming dancers.

"Another dream that I have is to own a recording studio and perform overseas."

Arguably one of the best rhumba dancers, if not the best, Godolude said he takes time to train his dancers because dancing is his passion.