Local artists have reflected on times and performances they shared with the late legend, Dr Latozi “Madosini” Mpahleni.
Madosini died at the age of 78, in Mthatha on Friday after a lengthy illness.
She earned many awards during her career and used her talent to promote Xhosa culture through playing traditional instruments like the uhadi, mhrubhe and isitolotolo.
Funded by the Department of Arts and Culture, Madosini conducted musical workshops through the Madosini Indigenous Music Legacy project on Saturdays at the Look Out Hill, in Khayelitsha.
Lima Zephe, 16, from Site C attended the workshops in 2016. His mother, Luleka, said the boy was a youngest among the participants at the time, but was focused on learning about the traditional instruments.
“He was the quiet one and more focused and Madosini picked up that he was a quick learner and more focused on the instruments. He was the first child to be able to play uhadi, umrhubhe. But because Mama Madosini had only one isitolotolo, he was not able to learn it due to the high number of participants.
“On the day of the graduation when they were doing a demonstration – he was chosen to do the demonstration for Letta Mbulu and Caiphus Simenya because he mastered it the way Madosini wanted. He was in primary school at the time.”
She believed that Lima grew a lot through the lessons and said he was shocked after reading about Madosini’s passing on Facebook.
“We are in pain from her passing. Madosini had a wish for more children to follow in her footsteps so that the traditional music does not disappear,” she said.
Banzi Tema from from Langa, an advocate for indigenous music and director of Imbewu Marimba Community Company praised Madosini for the discipline her music instilled on the youth.
“I have worked with Madosini in various projects. One which was a highlight for me was Marimba Xtravaganza in 2008 which was staged at Artscape and the Grahamstown festival in 2009. She was quite a teacher and youth learnt from the legend on how to instil discipline and dedication to their crafts. And how to build their own indigenous instruments.
“As her colleague I would like to say: Thank you for the advocacy of our indigenous music and what you were brought for in this world you have shared it with flying colours. It is for us now to carry the baton. You will always be with us in spirit and soul through your evergreen music,” he said.
Another artist from Langa, Sylvia Mdunyelwa, who has been in the music industry for more than 50 years, also believed that the culture and knowing one’s roots was important for child development and humility.
“We are poorer with the loss of such a powerful icon. Indigenous music cannot replace such a legend. But her music will continue to inspire future generations. May her precious humble soul find eternal rest,” she said.
