Matojeni Melo-Maniacs to partake in Roots Music Festival
ON Friday, the cultural music group Matojeni Melo-Maniacs (MMM) will be cultural exports, joining other international groups, Tsaradia (Madagascar and Austria) and Die Chornissen choir (Austria) to commemorate 11 years of the Roots Music from Southern Africa Festival at Reigen Live in Vienna, Austria.
Roots Music from Southern Africa Festival was founded in Vienna in 2010 by Blessings Nqo Nkomo to promote intercultural dialogue between Southern African artistes and European artistes in order for them to create more possibilities and interlink with other world music festivals. The festival is hosted by Isiko, a non-profit organisation based in Vienna and Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
MMM is a cultural group that consists of veteran artistes – Nomathamsanqa “Nkwali” Mkhwananzi, Thandeka Patricia “Thandy Dhlana” Jele, Nolizwe Ngwenya, Mthabisi Moyo and Bekezela “Sjure” Sibanda, with Blessings Nqo Nkomo (of Insingizi) being the ensemble’s manager. The festival has served as a launchpad for various musical careers such as that of Obabes bembube – Nobuntu, Austria-based Insingizi and, Jeys Marabini. In an interview from his base in Austria, Blessings Nqo said the ensemble is excited to make its international bow.
“We’re excited to be performing at the festival as this will be our first time out of Zimbabwe. Attendees can expect to experience a wide range of different traditions that are rooted in Southern Africa, Europe and beyond, at the festival. We’ve had acts such as Soul Brothers’ Moses Ngwenya, Izethekeli Band, Sualia, Shishani & the Namibian Tales (Namibia), Josephine Mosuma and New Look Musica Band (Congo) before,” Blessings Nqo shared.
He said the festival is set to pave the way for a European tour for MMM next year, barring any unforeseen challenges. “If all goes well, MMM is set to tour Europe next year and part of the countries in our itinerary include Italy, Austria, and Germany,” he said. The festival took a three-year hiatus, thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, but is back this year to commemorate 11 years in existence.
Jeys Marabini who once performed at the Festival said he had a wonderful experience attending the Roots Music from Southern Africa Festival in 2012 and 2013. “It was my first time to be in Austria and performing there. I found the people very welcoming and they loved my music very much.”