SOUTH African-based protest poet and author, Bongani Ncube (38), has finally sealed his 13-track debut album titled War of Peace.
BY MKHULULI CHIMOIO
The album carries poignant tracks such as Lithuleleni, The Soldier, Why Africa, Bathethelele, Kwamanye Amazwe, Where Did We go Wrong, Zwelihle, War of Weace, Wounded Nation, Thando, Qhawe Lami, Ngibhace Ezizweni and Lingakhohlwa.
The offering highlights social injustices created by African leaders across the continent, addresses tribal and racial problems. “I am concerned a lot with various problems affecting this world hence I worked on this album to try and correct those issues through music,” Ncube said.
“This is my first album going solo. It’s all about my country’s political instability, my continent’s injustices and the world at large.”
He said listeners will appreciate that he was reminding them to look back at their identity and if the liberation movements had transformed African societies for the better.
“In the title track there are lyrics which says let our eyes see no blacks or whites but people. Under the skin we are all the same. In that track, I am challenging the world to desist from perpetrating racism which has affected it badly,” Ncube said.
The album also challenges Africans to do away with xenophobia and unite for a progressive continent.
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“I think my album also comes at a right time as we have problems like terrorism in Somalia, Kenya and Nigeria. Also xenophobia syndrome is another problem happening in South Africa, which I tackled through my music,” he said.
The Plumtree-born poet is a former director at Ithemba Lesizwe Arts group, which has been performing at various South African government functions.
Few months ago Ncube also wrote his first ever Ndebele novel, Mhlaba Awulaqiniso, loosely translated to mean that there is no truth in the world which was well received across the country and South Africa.
“The book recounts the troubles and dangers that villagers encountered during the liberation struggle,” he said. “The same villages are now being subjected to the same treatment and are exposed to the same terror by war veterans on political grounds.”
