Johwa, Mosele mesmerise revellers

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent | Tuesday April 20, 2010 00:00

 The two superstars lived up to their reputation by staging a great show, which left the audience spell bound.  Both Ndingo and Banjo are proving to be forces to reckon with in local music.  This was why they pulled such a large crowd during their show. But maybe the most impressive act was that of Ndingo who is known as Satjilombe to his legion of fans.  According to Ikalanga speakers, Satjilombe is a male baboon.  Ndingo's giant steps on the stage reflect those of satjilombe.   Ndingo sings in Ikalanga but you do not have to understand the language to appreciate his music. Ndingo is developing into the Thomas Mapfhumo of Botswana, the Zimbabwean musician who fuses his music with indigenous instruments like mbira.  Ndingo has always explained that his music does not promote tribalism.  Actually this is why he even denounces xenophobia in his music. On Sunday, Ndingo was just in his element and he spent a long time on the stage and there was never a drab moment.  He enthralled revellers with his tracks like Xenophobia.  Ndingo and his girls showed the revellers how it is done on the stage.  One of the girls delightedly did what Satjilombe calls the 'Mercedes Benz' dance.  Ndingo's girls can really do their thing. Satjilombe himself was not outdone on the stage. 

Ndingo's backing band also needs to be commended.  You should have seen their individual brilliance as he introduced them at the end of the show.   One of the musicians backing him was the ace guitarist Zakes Gwaze. 

As for Banjo, it was his farewell show as he is leaving for Norway today.  But he made sure he left everyone who attended the show with a smile.   During the Easter holidays, he led a group of local artistes for a gig in Mafikeng.   At the Sunday show, Banjo proved that even elderly men of local music can dance on the stage.  He was backed by non other than Bra Malombo Mmereki.  Banjo dished out some of his popular tunes, including Selina. Banjo introduced South African based Afro jazz giant Tsepo Tshola who is popularly known as the 'Village Pope'. As it is customary, the pope could not leave the stage without reciting a little prayer.  Tshola was in the country on a private visit. 

At the end of the show, Ndingo said he was happy to collaborate with Banjo.  To him, this was just the beginning of more good things to come.