- Mndawe said he started singing professionally with Youth Ablaze in 2001
Mbabane: Before consuming music for any artist it is always pleasing to know their history and where they come from.
This week the Independent News entertainment desk spoke to Mpela Mndawe who shared his life journey as a Christians and as a Gospel music artist.
Born and breath in Pigs Peak, Mpela Mndawe hails from Msumpe in Mshingishingini area. Mndawe shared that he finished his O’Level at Mhlatane High School. After finishing school, he went to stay at Esitjeni where he realized his music calling through the guidance of his uncle Eric Mazibuko, Pastor Sifiso Mazibuko and Pastor A.B.N Fakudze.
Explaining how he started Mndawe said he started singing professionally with Youth Ablaze in 2001 under the mentorship of “Ntsika Fakudze where Muzi Masina, now the owner of Dem Dem studios played keyboard. He said they were based at Lobamba Lomdzala Assemblies of God at the time where they recorded three (3) albums.
“As I grew in music we started a family group called ‘Twins With Vision’, with Mazibuko Twins Bandile and Sandile together with younger brother Banele who are my cousins and we recorded two (2) albums.”
From there he said he continued to work with other groups like, Boyzen, Ngwane College Mass Choir and Mbulungwane Branch SU where we recorded one (1) album each, however the latter is still to be released soon and all the albums were recorded at Dem Dem Studios.
Recently, Mndawe said have since released and Extended play (EP) with two (2) songs tittled ‘Thank U Lord’ and ‘Ngegama likaJesu’. “I have featured my Wife Qinsile Mndawe in my single and it was recorded at Dem Dem Studios in Manzini Ngwane Park in October and was released in November 2020, to date we have sold over 200 CD copies” he said.
“Today I am a now an active member of Free Gospel Mission based at Qinisweni in Nhlangano under a great Man Of God Pastor S.M. Mathunjwa. I am actually leading the Praise Team there alongside with my wife”.
In most of my dreams and aspirations I receive guidance from Pastor Mathunjwa through their prayers and physical support even though COVID-19 effects crippled our initial plans on the part of video recording and as a result we have manage to do only one music video.
Mndawe told the entertainment desk that his future plan is obviously a full album as songs are already in and once COVID-19 restrictions are washed we will be starting our rehearsals with my team. “My Music Director and Pianist Bonga “BONGZ” Myeni is on standby for rehearsals”, he said.
Mndawe thanked everyone who supported him in his journey of music and promised that through god grace there will be more projects underway.
