MAHLORI YA LONDOLOZI

"Musical inspiration from the nature of the open plains of Africa."

MAHLORI YA LONDOLOZI

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ABOUT 'MAHLORI YA LONDOLOZI'

BY DR SHALATI JOSEPH KHOSA (SJ)

Since the Varty and Taylor families founded Londolozi in 1976 they have always sought ways to engage with fellow South Africans and in particular those who live in the rural landscapes near Londolozi. Therefore, when Dr Reuel Khoza invited Londolozi to participate in a music collaboration to revive the work of a remarkable South African composer, the late S J Khosa, it was an invitation which could not be refused. Therefore, over the past several months we have had the great pleasure to participate in the creation and production of sixteen remarkable songs born out of the ancient wisdom of Africa, inspired by nature and created by the incredible talent of the late S J Khosa.

This collaboration has brought together the raw musical talent of the Mkhuhlu chorale, the depth of cultural and historical knowledge of Dr Reuel Khoza, the composing and arranging experience of music producer Mark Cheyne and the powerful backing of the Electric Pops Orchestra.

It is, therefore, with great joy that we are now able to present to you Mahlori ya Londolozi representing fifteen of the finest of SJ Khoza’s songs resonating and inspired from the open plains of Africa.

MESSAGE FROM REUEL KHOZA

The theme of this collection of songs is nature conservation, extolling to start with, the wonderful work done decades ago by the Conservation Corporation under the Varty and Taylor families. The anthology of songs then extends to encompass folklore about various animals found within the Londolozi Private Game Park, the Limpopo Trans-Frontier Park and some of the neighbouring villages such as Phalaborwa.

The over-arching message is the HARMONY that characterises nature in its totality: humanity, the animal kingdom and the environment. The theme song, Mahlori ya Londolozi, derives from the Nguni word Londoloza, meaning “to conserve”.

The inspiration for the project stems from a conversation between Dave Varty and a friend from the neighbouring village Pastor Solly Patrick Mhaule. The latter felt that the wonders of Londolozi should be captured artistically in song. He suggested that a prolific composer he knew, one Shalati Joseph Khosa, could do justice to the project. S J Khosa was duly commissioned to compose the song, which he did in no time.

The lyrics are:

I have seen the wonders at a game park, Londolozi
A game park which is also a nature conservation showpiece
Go and see for yourself the great deeds!
The accomplishments of nature conservation
Go and see for yourself: pristine exquisite camps
And nature conservation in abundant diversity

THE MKHUHLU CHORAL

The Mkhuhlu Chorale is a choir which was founded in 1984 and caters for the community members of Bushbuckridge, Mkhuhlu and Hazyview in Mpumalanga, South Africa. Through engagement of the community in musical activities the choir aims to reduce crime and instead develop and nurture young talented individuals and help them pursue careers in music related fields. The choir competes in festivals across South Africa and have been provincial champions and have also competed at national championships.

The Mkhuhlu Chorale: Patricia Maile, Girly Mkhonto, Precious Ndlovu, Jubilate Khoza, Lebogang Thabethe, Sharon Lubisi, Ntsako Mathebula, Lindokuhle Tibane, Realise Ubisi, Marvelous Ngwenya, Lynnette Sechele, Tracy Lubisi, Promise Zwane, Phumzile Mhlabane, Amukelani Sishongwe, Kurhula Mabuza, Rose Mndawe, Ntokozo Sibiya, Appreciate Malamule, Thembelihle Mohluli, Rankie Sambo, Germany Makama, E Khoza, Joseph Rambau, Obedience Ngwenya, Wisley Lebissi, Pedro Khoza, Tinyiko Mabunda, Nkateko Mabunda, Isak Mngomezulu, Nhlayiso Zwane, Bright Ntandane, N.W Dzimba, Tshidiso Kabanyane, Marvelous Lubisi, Moses Sithole, Tsundzukani Monareng, Nkosinathi Mnisi, Nkosinathi Malumane, Reason Lukhele, Conride Mbhungele, Sthembiso Mkhonto, Sbusiso Nkuna, Ronald Lubisi, Lebongang Bhayi, Ntsako Mabunda, Miyelani Mndawe, Future Ngwenya.

Norman Ntsako Zwane is the director and conductor of the Mkhuhlu Chorale. Norman teaches music at Chayaza High School in Mkhuhlu, where he also studied. As a student with a love of music he started a school choir. More recently, as an educator, some of the choirs under his direction have become national champions. He graduated with a B.Mus.Ed degree from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in 2009, where he was actively involved with the university choirs, which included tours to the U.S.A.

MARK CHEYNE

Music producer & composer Mark Cheyne is one of South Africa’s most prolific symphonic arrangers. In 2013 he was approached by Dr Reuel Khoza to begin orchestrating and recording the musical compositions of SJ Khosa. This resulted in the SAMA nominated albums ‘Mintirho ya SJ Khosa’ featuring the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra. Mark owns and runs Aaross Music, an independent music production company, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

ELECTRIC POPS ORCHESTRA

Since its launch in 1998, the Electric Pops Orchestra has thrilled audiences and music lovers across South Africa. This dynamic group fuses the symphonic sounds of an orchestra with a band of accomplished session musicians.

Violins: Miroslav Chakaryan (Leader), Evert van Niekerk, Elbé Roberts, Melale Mantu
Violas: Kate Moore, Violeta Miljkovic
Cello: Carel Henn
Contrabass: Nico Kruger
Flute: Helen Vosloo
Oboe & Cor Anglais: Andrew Moorosi
Clarinet: Morné van Heerden
Bassoon: Paul Rodgers
French Horn: Frikkie Le Roux
Trumpet: Neil Engel
Trombone: Etienne Mecloen & Dan Selsick
Percussion: Richard Carter
Drums: David Klassen
Piano: Denzil Weale Bass
Guitar: Denny Lalouette
Guitars: Mauritz Lotz

DR S J KHOSA: 1936 – 2013

The award-winning Shalati Joseph Khosa (S J) lived primarily for music. A broad array of themes inspired his compositions. Culture and tradition provided him with an abundant range of songs to arrange and sparked new culture-based folk songs. S J was also a keen lover of nature and a nature conservation enthusiast. His family recall him regaling them with stories about animals they observed together. As an artist he tended to see more in the fauna and flora they observed. Each excursion into a national park or game lodge inspired several songs with an animal motif or themed around the marvels of nature.

Executive Producer: Dr Reuel Khoza
Producer: Mark Cheyne
Choir & orchestra conductor: Norman Zwane
Musical arrangements by Mark Cheyne
Musical transcriptions by Ludumo Magangane
Recorded at SABC M1 Studio, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, in May 2016
Recording Engineer: Evert De Munnik
Mixed by Mark Cheyne
Mastered by Rogan Kelsey
Album photography by: Rich Laburn /Amy Attenborough

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