If there is ever a South African group that has stood the ultimate test of time, adapted and revolutionalised through the changing music industry, while staying true to their roots and original sound, I am certain that the name Mafikizolo most probably tops that list.

I have followed this group with earnest for the longest of time and I am still amazed at their success, where they come from and their longevity in the music industry. The years I have spent following this group has led me to a decision of celebrating them the best way I know how, through words and a lengthy piece which takes a walk down memory lane.

The band is made up of fashion entrepreneur and lead singer Nhlanhla Nciza (formerly Mafu), songwriter and composer Theo Kgosinkwe and the late kwaito mastermind Tebogo Madingoane.

Boasting over 20 years in the music scene, nine full-length studio albums, sold-out shows countrywide, multiple awards and the heartbeat of Africa at the palm of their hands, there appears to be nothing that is standing in their way.

The group has had its fair share of downs, one including a near-fatal car crash involving the band once on tour in December 2001 and another tragic event on 14th February 2004 where Tebogo Madingoane lost his life after a road-rage incident in Soweto. There were many resultung speculations and uncertainty over the success of the band as duo after Tebogo’s passing but Nhlanhla and Theo stuck together as a team and carried on the baton with strength from God.

Forever stylish, humble about their success and background, very loyal to their original sound yet able to adapt with the evolving beat, Mafikizolo have certainly proved their name otherwise as they are nowhere near being ‘newcomers’ to the game.

Let’s take a walk down memory lane.

1. Mafikizolo (1997)

Released under Kalawa Jazmee records in 1997, this self-titled 7 track debut album included songs such as ‘Mafikizolo’, ‘Katara’ & ‘Bafana Bonke’. It introduced the trio to the South African music industry with a unique Kwaito sound.

2. Music Revolution (1999)

Image courtesy of Concrete Jungle.

This album was released in 1999, still under Kalawa Jazmee records and served as a follow up to their debut album. This 12 track album included songs such as ‘Music Revolution’, ‘Bafana’ and ‘Why?’. The album was still predominantly Kwaito in sound and the group was still exploring and finding their feet in the highly competitive south African music industry. What was a clear statement, however is that they showed how they were a group with a future to look out for.

3. Gate Crashers (2000)

Now if there is an album that catapulted them to higher levels in the local music scene, it has to be Gate crashers. Released in 2000 and still under Kalawa Jazmee boasted 10 tracks that included the ultimate wedding step song of the century through ‘Majika’. Other noted hits include the track that motivates us all about hopefully being the lucky millionaires, ‘Lotto’, ‘Mandulo’ (featuring the kwaito group Alaska) and the cover track ‘Gate crash’. The album still fused a predominantly Kwaito influence though with Afro-Pop slowly lingering in the background. This album certainly made the public interested and intrigued on what other surprises the group has in store.

4. Sibongile (2002)

This was their breakaway and breakthrough album, brewed after a near tragic car accident that affected the band while on tour in December 2001. The multi SAMA award-winning, best selling 11-track album was released the year following the car crash as a token of grace and gratitude to God for sparing their lives. It set a strong and bold statement of their overall look, feel and (Marabi) sound. They also made a bold statement for their overall style, authentic and true to the time frame and setting of the album’s atmosphere. Hit songs such as the highly acclaimed and popular ‘Ndihamba Nawe’, uptempo ‘Gug’ othandayo’, old school funk-fitting ‘Marabi’, the dance-inspired spiritual album cover song ‘Sibongile’.

5. Kwela (2003)

Released in 2003,under Kalawa Jazmee records, Kwela boasted a total of fifteen songs which included two that were collaborations. The album included the hit tracks ‘Udakwa njalo’, ‘Ndixolele’ & the smashing love ballad ‘Emlanjeni’ with the popular lyrics ‘meet me at the river’ as part of the chorus, made popular by the late Mama Africa Miriam Makeba. The album featured legendary trumpeter, the late Bra Hugh Masekela on the opening track ‘Kwela Kwela’ reminiscing on the apartheid times when police officers would invade townships with the famous carrier transport ‘Kwela Kwela’ used to transport trespassers to prison. Bongo Maffin, another local Afro-Pop sensation was features, in fact, two of its members were Stian Seate and Jah-seed on the second track ‘Munt’omnyama’. This album happened to be the very last that the group did with the late band member Tebogo Madingoane and a special tribute can be seen towards the end of the official music video of ‘Emlanjeni’.

6. Van Toeka Af (2005)

Having to carry on the baton after the tragic passing of their band member, Tebogo Madingoane in 2004 seemed to be a difficult task, ‘Van Toeka Af’ was the first album Mafikizolo released as a duo. Still remaining true to their old-school look, feel and sound. The album contained 13 tracks including the Tarzan-song inspired ‘Nisixoshelani’, the traditional ‘Na tshelwa ngubani’ and love ballad of all time, ‘Mas’thokoze’. The album also included three collaborations with phenomenal South African artists including ‘Dance mood’ featuring Bruce ‘Dope’ Sebitlo of the popular Brothers of Peace (BOP) duo alongside one of Kalawa Jazmee’s founders Oscar ‘Dj Oskido’ Mdlongwa, the late Mama Dorothy Masuku in ‘Sebenza’ and Mam’ Busi Mhlongo on ‘Inkomo’.

7. Six Mabone (2006)

Album image coutersy of discogs

Now if there is an album cover that I love the most, it has to be the one for ‘Six Mabone’. Sleek with a classic vintage glam, old school theme, it further stamped the group’s style, vision and authority in the Afro-Pop music scene. Released under Kalawa Jazmee records in 2006 with a total of sixteen tracks including the hit song ‘O tswa Kae?’. The album boasted tracks that represented where they come from musically in the opening ‘Undenzantoni?’, piano infused ‘Ndiyamkhumbula’, the ballad ‘Ekasi’ while exploring house and rhythm through ‘Ndigoduke’ and Pop with ‘For you’. The album included the track ‘Flowers’ which features RnB songstress Zonke Dikana who also wrote the song. The album served as their last to be released as a duo before their seven year hiatus where each member of the group explored a solo career. Nhlanhla released two albums on her own, ‘Inguquko’ in 2007 & ‘Iingcinga Zam’ a follow-up in 2009 while Theo released two award-winning albums as well on his own ‘I am’ in 2008 and ‘Grateful’ in 2010.

8. Reunited (2013)

‘I am glad that we’re back together again, we’re reunited’ can be heard as part of the lyrics for their album cover track ‘Reunited’ which the pair related on the 10th April 2013 after their their seven year hiatus as Mafikizolo. And a return with a bang this was with a brand new sound vision and audience through the stellar hit song ‘Khona’ which became not only a South African dance hit and anthem but a global one as well. The album, with their most funkiest look and feel cover, had a total of fifteen tracks which included ‘Vimba kanjani’ and the smash hits ‘Khona’ feauting Uhuru and ‘Happiness’. The album included a balanced mix of songs with their original sound such as ‘Ndikwazile’, ‘Saka Harambe Bone’ & ‘Khani mjongeni’ while it ecplored a different kind of sound through the likes of ‘Reunited’, ‘Amor da Mia vida’ & ‘Nakupenda’. Apart from ‘Sibongile’, this was their most successful album to date scooping a total of eight SAMA 20th edition awards in 2014.

9. 20 (2017)

This album came four years after ‘Reunited’ & was released under the title ’20’ to mark the group’s official 20th anniversary in the music industry. Produced by Dj Maphorisa with Sipho Dlamini as Executive Producer, the album consists of a dynamic and well-mastered selection of 16 songs that include the hit song ‘Love Potion’ amongs many others. There were a number of collaborations with prolific artists from other parts of Africa in this album including ‘Ofana nawe’ with Yemi Alade, ‘Best thing’ featuring Gemini Major, ‘Don’t go’ featuring Harmonize and ‘Mazuva. Akanaka’ with Jah Prayzah. Local collaborations included ‘Umama’ with House sensations, Ralf Gum and Monique Bingham, ‘Summer wave’ with DJ Ganyani & Nokwazi and ‘Yek’ umona’ with Professor. They kept their original sound as can be heard from the tracks ‘Izitha’ & ‘Siyambonga’. International RnB sensation Syleena Johnson makes her detut with the group on the song ‘Ndifun’ ukwazi’. They elevated their influence on the dance scene with one of my favourite from the album ‘Phakathi’ while they cleverly ended off the album with a special tribute to their former band member Tebogo Madingoane on ‘Mafikizolo Tribute’. The album won 3 SAMA awards for Best Duo/group of the year, Best Afro Pop album & Best Engineered album.

When people talk of a truly authentic, proudly African product this country has ever produced in the music industry, one that unites us as a human race with ease, keeps us entertained many years later while staying true to their original sound, style and evolves with time, then Mafikizolo will be the classic epitome for that and more.