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Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
MARTIN Sibanda of the Ndolwane Super Sounds has denied that he was the cause of the split of the original group saying he parted ways with Charles Ndebele after mutual consent.

In 2011 Ndolwane Super Sounds split unceremoniously with Ndebele forming Ndolwane Super Sounds Amangwe Part 1 and Sibanda remaining with the original name Ndolwane Super Sounds.

Sibanda then was accused of being paid to split the group by an unknown South African businessman, an allegation that the Bakhuzeni hit-maker strongly refuted.

Speaking after a performance at the Sizinda South Beer Garden at the weekend, Sibanda said the group’s split was a mutual understanding.

“When we split we didn’t have any misunderstanding as we sat down and talked like brothers. The rumours that we had a misunderstanding, leading to the split are just people speculating and trying to cause a rift between me and Charles.

“I wasn’t paid by anyone,” Sibanda said.

He attributed the split to piracy which according to him forced them to focus on other projects besides their musical careers.

“We were living in South Africa and depending on album sales for income as we didn’t have a lot of shows then. Because of piracy, sales dropped and we ended up looking for full-time jobs to sustain our lives.

“As a result, we stopped rehearsing and eventually agreed to split,” he said.

Ndebele and Ndolwane Super Sounds Amangwe Part 1 are still in South Africa performing mostly in the Limpopo province. The group which has one album – Azibuye Emasisweni (2012) last staged a show in Zimbabwe last year and were not well received.

Asked if they can re-unite, Sibanda said they would only do so for a collaboration.

“Getting back together isn’t possible. When we split, my musical career developed in a different direction and his also did the same. Chances for us to get back are very slim, if not impossible. What may happen is a collaboration not bringing back the old Ndolwane.”

Sibanda said plans were underway to release a second album after having released his debut album Bakhuzeni three years ago.

He bemoaned piracy saying it had robbed him of potential revenue from Bakhuzeni album sales.

“The album was exceptional and was accepted by all people wherever I performed. Even in Chegutu, people love the album. However, the album sales have been affected because of piracy as it’s being sold mostly on streets by pirates who steal from us,” he said.