Mzwakhe Mbuli

**Mzwakhe Mbuli** (born 1 August 1959) is a former Deacon at Apostolic Faith Mission Church in Naledi Soweto South Africa, known as "The People's Poet, Tall man, Mbulism, The Voice Of Reason", is a poet and Mbaqanga singer in South Africa. He was born in Sophiatown and shortly moved after his family was forced to move to Soweto when the government bulldozed his home town. His works include a book of poems, Before Dawn (1989), and albums Change Is Pain (1986), Unbroken Spirit (1989), Resistance Is Defence (1992), and Africa (1993). His poems are mainly in English but draw on his native Zulu as well as traditional praise poetry and rap. His best-known poem is "Change Is Pain," a protest piece about oppression and revolution, which was initially banned until growing pressure forced South Africa to allow more freedom of speech. His first performance group was called Khuvhangano.

Throughout the 1980s, Mbuli was repeatedly detained by the authorities and denied a passport to travel while playing a leading role in the cultural activities of the United Democratic Front. His international career began in 1990 in Berlin, Germany when he shared the stage with Youssou N'dour, Miriam Makeba and Thomas Mapfumo. An imposing figure, standing well over 6 feet (1.8 m) tall, he performed at the funeral of Chris Hani, the assassinated head of the South African Communist Party, and at the presidential inauguration Nelson Mandela in 1994. In 1996 Mbuli was invited to London to co-host, with British poet and activist Benjamin Zephaniah, the Two Nations Concert at the Albert Hall to honor President Nelson Mandela on his visit to London . Later in the year, he returned to the UK to join Peter Gabriel, Youssou N'Dour and other prominent African artists to record the fundraising Aids Album.

In 1990, he was profiled in the documentary film Songololo: Voices of Change.

Mbuli was convicted in March 1999 for armed robbery and possession of a hand grenade – crimes he has consistently denied committing; he and his supporters have always insisted he was framed by the government for speaking out against corruption. He was held at the Leeuwkop Maximum Security Prison, until his release in November 2003. His most recent release is Mbulism.

## Links to Kershaw

Andy Kershaw often played Mzwakhe's music on his shows, including two sessions. He supported the singer when he was convicted by the South African authorities for armed robbery and possession of a hand grenade by mentioning on his BBC Radio 3 show his innocence and that he was framed by the South African authorities for speaking out against corruption.

Kershaw celebrated Mzwakhe's release from prison by playing his 1995 session on his 11th April 2004 programme. On his 12 March 2007 show, which was seen as a longer extension of his Desert Island Discs, he played Mzwakhe's cover of the South African national anthem, Nkosi Sikelela, as one of his favourite songs of all time.

## Sessions

1. Recorded: 1991-08-29. First Broadcast: 20 October 1991. Repeated: 02 February 1997

* Uyeyeni / Emandulo/ Pitoli

2. Recorded: unknown. First Broadcast: 03 September 1995. Repeated: 11 April 2004

* Magenge / Toffolux / The Cloud / God Bless Africa

## Other Shows Played

1992
* 02 February 1992: Pitoli (LP - Resistance Is Defence) Earthworks
* 23 February 1992: Joyina (CD - Resistance Is Defence) Earthworks

1994
* 01 October 1994: Toffolux (CD - Afrika) ccp / EMI

   1996
* 07 July 1996: Nkosi Sikelela

1998
* 02 March 1998: Shintsha Guluva (CD - Izigi (Footsteps)) EMI
* 27 April 1998: Behind The Bars (CD - Now Is The Time) BMG
* 03 December 1998: Song For God (CD - South African Gospel According To Earthworks) Earthworks

1999
* 29 April 1999: Triple B (CD - Free At Last) CCP
* 06 May 1999: Triple B (CD - Free At Last) CCP
* 27 May 1999: I Am No Stranger- Lababaholi (CD - Born Free But Always In Chains) CCP
* 24 June 1999: Nobel Peace (CD - Free At Last) CCP
* 30 December 1999: Triple B (CD - Free At Last) CCP

2000
* 27 April 2000: Triple B (CD - Free At Last) CCP

2001
* 05 October 2001: Kulusizi Emhlabeni/It's Sad In This World (v/a CD - Spirit Of Africa) Real World

2002
* 14 June 2002: Triple B (CD - Greatest Hits - Born Free But Always In Chains) Ccp

2003
* 11 July 2003: Labaholi A Bathembakali
* 30 November 2003: Arise & Shine (CD - Izigi) CCP

2004
* 04 April 2004: Nkosi Sikelela (CD - Izigi (Footsteps)) Ccp
* 18 April 2004: Isinamuva (CD - Mbulism) Ccp
* 16 May 2004: Mbulism (CD - Mbulism) Ccp
* 24 October 2004: Uma Sirenzela (CD - Mbulism) Risa

2007
* 12 March 2007: Nkosi Sikelela (album - Izigi (Footsteps)) Ccp

## External Links

* Wikipedia
* Discogs