Maskandi duo Abafana Baka Mgqumeni come back with a bite

After the release of their last body of work Iphakade Lami in 2022, Abafana Baka Mgqumeni are set to make a musical comeback this August with their new album I - Love Bite.

Music has always been a part of their lives. They grew up watching their father Umahawukela, also known as Igcokama lika Mseleku, creating maskandi music. Before his death he had already taught Mgqumeni, Muhle and Khaya how to make music.

After Umahawukela's death, Mgqumeni, Muhle and Khaya continued his legacy and founded the group Abafana baka Mahawukela. Mgqumeni then passed on the baton and taught Nelisani and Sakhiseni the art of music.

In honour of their mentor's legacy, Nelisani and Sakhiseni named their group Abafana Baka Mgqumeni.

“The way we make music, we carry forward the traditions and principles of music from home. The Mseleku surname is renowned for its artistic talent. There are many more artists from the Mseleku family who have excelled in music and many more who have not yet been recognised,” Nelisani told TshisaLIVE.

Nelisani “Ndlemnyama” Mseleku and Sakhiseni “Skhevane” Mseleku made their entry into the music scene in 2012 and it has not been an easy journey.

“The company that used to record Mgqumeni fired us after Mgqumeni passed away. We started from scratch, making demos we sent to companies in search of a record deal. The companies would not hire us because they had been told not to.

“Another thing that hurt us was the appearance of someone in 2012 claiming to be Mgqumeni, saying he had risen from the dead, which deeply affected us as his family and his children.”

Despite the challenges they faced along the way the two stars are determined to leave a mark.

“Regardless of all the challenges we faced due to being blacklisted, we thank God we were nominated for numerous awards and won eight. We were invited overseas for the 2018 Russia World Cup and to Seychelles for performances.”