ONE of the country’s finest Jazz singers, Majahawodwa Ndlovu — popularly known as Jeys Marabini in music circles — is a man who has reaped a rich harvest from his gift.
BY LUYANDUHLOBO MAKWATI
While many musicians who struck a rich vein of form at the peak of their careers ended up wallowing in penury in their twilight, Marabini told this publication last week that God has greatly rewarded him for the many years he has laboured in the music industry.
Known for his all-time hits such as Uthando lwakho, Umuzi Kababa, Amalungelo, Ezinyangeni and Julia — which he did with the late Nana Coyote of the group
Stimela — the National Arts Merit Award (NAMA) winner said he now wore a garment of honour because of his music.
“I am happy with my life in music, a father and an ordinary citizen like everyone in this region, despite the fact that music has placed me at higher levels,” Marabini said.
Born 44 years ago in Matabeleland South Province in an area called Filabusi in a family sold out on music, Marabini had inauspicious beginnings. He attended Dekezi Primary and Secondary schools. But it was while he was still in primary school that one of his teachers, Tom Mthunzi, picked up his gift.
Mthunzi then started working on Marabini, sharpening his music skills and giving him the confidence he needed to work on his talent.
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“Born in a family of musicians I developed my career from school and I would like to thank my primary school teacher who developed and nurtured my talent, leading me to where I am today,” he said.
Outside his illustrious career as a decorated musician, Marabini is a businessman who runs a number of outlets in Tsholotsho as a fall back plan during financially lean moments when no earnings are being realised from music.
He admitted that at times the music industry can be unforgiving.
“It’s not always rosy for a musician and at times you go for weeks or months without performances, so I decided to supplement my savings with some business that I run in Tsholotsho, among other things that I do for my well-being,’ he said.
The 45-year-old singer and his wife Fatima are blessed with three children, but he lost his parents two years ago in a fatal car crash.
Marabini could not hide his joy at the arrival of their third child, who is just a week old. He said the addition to the family has encouraged him to work even harder for his family.
His music career dates back to 1990 where he started as an imbube artiste working with different groups such as Sunduza, Comfort Brothers and Imbizo until 2000 where he formed a promotions company called Equator in partnership with Louis Harding.
He recorded his debut album, Sisemarabini, in 2002 and the title track’s video won the best video at NAMA in the year.
The acoustic singer, who is currently recording his ninth album, has performed at some of the world’s biggest festivals such as Womad Lamatree, Glastonbury and Edinburgh.
In a music world often associated with glitz and glamour, Marabini — who resides in Nkulumane — is a man of unbelievably simple tastes.
