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Bruce Ndlovu/Bongani Ndlovu
Despite choosing an axe as his trademark, Madlela Skhobokhobo, the man behind the smash hit Ngamnanka uSaMamoe says that his music does not advocate for violence and thus cannot be linked to any crimes committed by axe-wielding criminals.

Like Sulumani Chimbetu, who also had to defend the lyrical content behind his smash hit song Batai Munhu, Skhobokhobo has been accused by some of being an advocate for violence, with some saying that fans may be tempted to deliver the sort of instant justice he rendered on SaMamoe.

Day after day, axe murders flood the pages of this and other papers, and with one of the most popular artistes choosing an axe as a trademark, there is worry that Skhobokhobo might have further popularised an already worrying trend.

Skhobokhobo, real name Mothusi Bashimane Ndlovu, is not the first to be asked questions about his lyrical content or style, as debate on how music influences behaviour has raged around the globe for decades.

Rappers, for example, have been taken to task for glorifying violence while the sexual suggestive dances associated with rhumba have also come under the microscope at various times.

For Madlela however, the accusations do not hold any water as his behaviour on stage is exemplary.

“The issue of people who use axes to commit crimes can’t be linked to us because we preach peace whenever we take to the stage. It’d be unfair for anyone to link us to such things,” Skhobokhobo said.

He chose the axe as his trademark because it was unique and was also in line with the character of Skhobokhobo, a hard-boiled no-nonsense character from the rural areas.

“It’s just a trademark. I wanted to be unique hence the use of the axe. I’d an option of using a knobkerrie, but other people have used it before so the axe was best as a trademark.

“Madlela is a rural character and people from the rural parts of the country go around carrying axes which they mostly don’t use to hack each other. The trademark is merely used to show the life lived by our people.”

Unknown to many, the song that had catapulted Skhobokhobo to stardom was produced as an afterthought, as it was initially earmarked to be the soundtrack to movies he made.

Despite its unlikely origins, the accidental hit has put Skhobokhobo on the map and at the inaugural Bulawayo Arts Awards held last weekend, he walked away with the Outstanding Actor, Newcomer of the Year and the much converted Song of the Year gong for Ngamnanka uSaMamoe.

A man of many talents, Skhobokhobo has made his name in a self-named three part movie series, in which he plays an axe wielding man who lives in South Africa. The series chronicles the lives of people living in South Africa through the hot-headed character’s eyes.

It was during the production of the DVD movies that he recorded Ngamnanka uSaMamoe.

“It was the last to be produced and I intended to use it as the soundtrack of the movies. My intention wasn’t to come up with a rhumba album, but one that showcases many genres.

“Ngamnanka was an afterthought. Little did I know that this very track will be the one that would land me recognition in Zimbabwe. Its success means that I’ve to change direction and focus on what makes me popular, which in this case is music,” said Ndlovu.

The impact of the song was first felt when he debuted it at Iyasa’s 10th anniversary celebrations at the Hartsfield Tshisanyama last year. Using his intoxicating cocktail of humour and storytelling, he drew laughs and gasps from an audience that was in stitches for the duration of his eventful stay on stage.

Afterwards, the song went viral with so many of the track’s lyrics becoming catch phrases in the city.

During the Bulawayo Arts Awards, Skhobokhobo’s colourful character was there for all to see, as at one time he pleaded with Bulawayo Mayor Councillor Martin Moyo for a venue for his album launch, a request the mayor said he would look into.

While some might have been amused by his antics, Skhobokhobo said that he pulled the stunt as a way of making sure that the city council takes the arts seriously at a time that he is preparing to launch a yet-to-be-named debut album in October.

“People should look forward to an album launch in October. However, I’ll first release a single titled Bheyapheya at the end of this month,” he said.

Despite being awarded a scholarship of $3 000 to study acting as part of his BAAs win, Skhobokhobo is not sure yet on how to go about utilising the opportunity as it might interfere with his music and acting gigs.

Ndlovu said he would sit down with the sponsors and map out a way forward.

“I’m a full time artiste. Whatever I do as Madlela the singer and actor is what puts food on my table. So I’ll have to sit down with the people who’ve given me the award and see how I can do the course on a part time basis,” said Ndlovu.

After shaking up the music scene with one hit, Madlela has also vowed to keep on making music he feels people can identify with.

“I believe that people like to listen to things that touch their hearts and that’s what I do for my fans. The fame, the recognition and everything else I’ve got is because of the people who loved and supported the music.”