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I HAVE 19 CHILDREN SUSTAINED BY MY CAREER - MSHIKISHI

26/02/2015 08:35:00 BY NHLANHLA MATHUNJWA

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MBABANE – “I have 19 biological children whom I feed and educate through my music career.”
These were the words of local music legend Mshikishi Mndzebele.

Mshikishi, 59, famously known as the ‘Gorilla Man’ when on stage, will be turning 60 years on July 27 this year.
His first born is 40 years old and is a banker. He has twins which are his last born and they are three years old.

The artist has been a full-time musician for the past 40 years and all these years he has been earning a living through recording and performing in different festivals.
In the past 40 years, he has released six albums and these albums include the famous ‘E-Bhunya Baholile’, ‘Interstate’, ‘Solomoni’, ‘Uthando’, Selimathunzi’ and “Maye Muhle’.
In an interview, Mshikishi said despite that he was getting very little from his singing career he was able to educate and feed all his children.

Improve

“I have always been saying that local artists are not recognised as people who can play a major role in improving the country’s economy. My experience has taught me that we are capable of doing anything as artists and indeed we can improve our economy.”
He said he was proud that through the little money he has been getting from the performance fees and sales, he has been able to raise all his children accordingly.

“Out of the 19 children, 11 of them have finished school. Some are employed while others are at the different universities and colleges. I am indeed a proud father and I am happy with all my achievements.”
Mshikishi said the little support that government was giving to artists have made the aspiring artists not believe in singing as they think they will not earn a living through it.

“I have said this before and I am still insisting that if government can empower local artists, I can guarantee you that the musicians will change the economy. We have seen that there is a lot of talent in the country and if local musicians can be recognised, the country would go a long way.”
He then pointed out that the highest amount he got as a performance fee was E10 000.