Youth Month in South Africa is more than a look back at June 16, 1976 it's a powerful reminder of the courage, creativity, and resilience that still lives in our young people today. And few artists embody that spirit better than Major Bless Iskhokho, a rising Afro-soul artist and producer from Nyanga East, Cape Town.
.jpeg)
With his breakout single “Can’t Go Back” now hitting the airwaves, Major Bless isn’t just making music, he’s making a statement.
Major Bless Iskhokho, born Sibusiso Domingos Dunga, has always had music in his bones. From leading a winning high school choir to dancing for classmates in primary school, it was clear early on that this was more than a hobby — it was a calling.
After matriculating in 2020, he faced the kind of challenges that silence many dreams. His father had passed away, leaving the family financially strained. He turned to part-time jobs, even dabbled in the wrong crowd but he never let the flame die.
Even while studying at Northlink College, he remained focused. “I knew I had to step up,” he told us on The Morning Cruise. That same year, he dropped his debut EP, Leo Living Legend a project that caught fire online and marked the beginning of his rise.
Major Bless’s latest single, “Can’t Go Back”, is raw, powerful, and deeply personal. It speaks to anyone who’s ever faced struggle and made the decision to move forward anyway.
“The life I lived before I can never go back to that,” he says. “This song is for the people who have been through pain, heartbreak, hunger, addiction… and still chose hope.”
And hope, for Major Bless, isn’t just a feeling it’s a practice. “You must believe in yourself, even when it feels like no one else does. It starts with you.”
After leaving high school, music took a backseat but only for a moment. Through his longtime friend and collaborator Luis “Shabbalala”, he co-founded Channel Records, an indie label that gave him space to create, heal, and rise again.
The duo hustled hard, performing at open mic sessions, recording in bedrooms, and building their sound from the ground up. “We weren’t waiting for a big break — we created our own,” he says.
Today, Major Bless produces his own tracks from a home studio he built himself. “Even if the money’s not there, the mission stays the same.”
His involvement in the Beyond Basking Program gave him the structure and support to grow not just as an artist, but as a person. “Those people? They're not just mentors. They’re family. They taught me about life, about doing things the right way.”
It’s this mix of talent and grounded wisdom that makes Major Bless more than a rising star. He’s a voice of his generation.
When asked about the meaning of June 16th and the legacy of 1976, Major Bless doesn’t hesitate.
“Young people fought for us to have a voice. Now it’s our turn to use it. Stand up for yourself. For your people. For your future. We might not wear uniforms anymore, but we still carry the fight.”
To the young person sitting alone, feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or hopeless, Major Bless has one message:
“Don’t go back.”
“Your life might feel messy now. You might feel like you’re in hell. But that’s not the end. You’ve got a purpose, and the world needs your story.”
You can stream “Can’t Go Back” now on:
-
Spotify
-
Apple Music
-
YouTube
-
All major DSPs
Follow him on:
-
Instagram, Facebook, TikTok – @majorblessiscold
-
YouTube – Major Bless Iskhokho
Nyanga East may be known for its struggles, but artists like Major Bless are redefining its legacy, one song at a time. With soul, vision, and unshakable faith in his journey, he’s not just making music.
He’s making history.
Written by Mkuseli "Khusi" Veto
No comments:
Post a Comment