On Wednesday Bush Radio welcomed artist/musician Zwai Mbula on Morning Cruise to discuss his career, listen to his music, and discuss upcoming performances
Mbula, born in Gugulethu, studied music at University of Cape Town before moving to Oslo, Norway for 15 years. He moved back to South Africa in 2022.
Mbula said that his first musical inspiration came from his mother’s church. He then went to a community center in Gugulethu, and joined a band.
At age 14, the musician composed a song for a talent show and placed second.
The “Listen Up” artist described the marimba as the “wood that sings and the wood that heals.” Mbula said he uses the marimba to express his emotions.
While in Norway, Mbula played at many festivals and was featured with big artists. He has toured with Lionel Richie and Gladys Knight as a percussionist.
In 2019, the artist was appointed as an United Nations Ambassador of African Diaspora in a program called Africa Decade—a celebration of people of African descent.
In Norway, Finland, and other Scandinavian countries, Mbula was a part of festivals supporting the United Nations campaign and bringing African music to the masses.
Now that he is back in South Africa, he hopes to create a marimba academy and to bring his music and story to schools.
”I can give back here now, in South Africa,” said Mbula
You can follow Zwai Mbula on Instagram @zwai_mbula
Listen to the interview here
Presentor: Mkuseli Khusi Veto
Producer: Nikoletta Anagnostou
Written by Nikoletta Anagnostou
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