LISTEN | Nduduzo Makhathini speaks on artists empowering themselves

Jazz maestro Nduduzo Makhathini is on a mission to empower young artists about the orgins of music in Mzansi.

The musician released seven albums as an independent artist under his label Gundu Entertainment, which he formed with his wife vocalist Omagugu Makhathini. He later signed with an American jazz record label owned by Universal Music Group, Blue Note Records.

He had a strategy and structure coming into the music industry, and he equates his success to having a great partner and using the knowledge he got from studying a diverse music course at UKZN.

"I have a partner, my wife who is an incredible artist and mind. When we met, we met as students studying music at UKZN and the course was really diverse. It gave music business modules as well which I am great for together with the music technology modules. We were really equipped.

"You can see manifestations of that with Nqubeko Mbatha, Joyous Celebration, Black Coffee, Zakes Bantwini, and others. We were all in the same school studying music, and you can see how they are dealing with their business, which is of course informed by what we got from that particular course," he tells TshisaLIVE.

As Apple Music honours the roots of popular African genres this Africa month, the Best Jazz Album Metro FM Award winner reflects on his jazz origins. 

Nduduzo, who obtained his PhD in Music from Stellenbosch University), says he sees his calling in the industry as a mentor, "fulfilling the works and teachings of my ancestors".

He's been a lecturer since 2005 at central Johannesburg College, Wits University, University of Fort Hare, and UKZN.

As a musician, Nduduzo says his path in the music industry is guided by his gift of ubungoma which has helped him marry his mission to heal and educate.

"It informs a greater part of what I do. It has increased my level of consciousness about the ways of being that are not limited to myself only.

"I think it is something that's inherent in my vision, which means I have to acquire knowledge as well to give knowledge to my students. Crystalising my lens and ensuring that what I give to the next generation is really researched."