- Title: SOUTH AFRICA: "White Lion" Sean Terblanche sings in Zulu to unite South Africans
- Date: 20th April 2012
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) SEAN TERBLANCHE, SOUTH AFRICAN MUSICIAN SAYING: "My new album is titled "Umthakathi" by Ibhubesi Elimhlophe, which means The White Lion and Umthakathi is talking about the witch-doctors that walk around at night, especially here in Joburg causing misfortune to other people, and spell bounds, which causes jinx, and right in the middle of the night we can hear the dogs barking, and we try to catch them but they escaped and it is talking that the witch-doctors should be impaled."
- Embargoed: 5th May 2012 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: South Africa, South Africa
- Country: South Africa
- Topics: Entertainment,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA8RNTOQ01GV2AR2ZFDS8GSQ3Y8
- Story Text: Wrapped in a kilt made of spotted cat-print material and playing his guitar alongside a formation of young South African dancers, Sean Terblanche stages a popular street performance that has onlookers shocked, intrigued and entertained.
Terblanche, also referred to as Ibhubesi Elimhlophe or White Lion sings in traditional Zulu language and looks the part of a traditional black warrior.
While he doesn't sing live on the streets, his performance is full of animated Zulu style dance moves.
Some people dismiss Terblanche's act as a gimmick but many say he is making an important point about unity in a country that is still recovering from the effects of apartheid.
"Everything that he said, it is very valid, to everybody who is an African. This is very nice, and it shows that we are together in this world of South Africa," said Phuza Sibanda, a Johannesburg resident who watched Terblanche perform.
Terblanche is a white Afrikaner and grew up speaking English and Afrikaans in his hometown Durban.
He says his father encouraged him to discover other cultures and languages from a young age. He learnt Zulu from taxi drivers and fellow passengers and practised it for years to perfect the complex tongue twisting syllables characteristic of the language widely spoken by black South Africans.
Thirty two-year-old Terblanche started singing in Zulu 10 years ago and uses a mix of traditional folk beats and rhythms in his music.
"My music is mainly, has got catching melodies in it, and I would say it is more mixed with Mkhandha rhythms, with a bit of Reggae as well. Has got a lot of that African, deep, mysterious Maskandi rhythms," he said.
Terblanche is currently recording a second album titled "UMTHAKATHI" Zulu for wizard, which is catching on across the country thanks to frequent radio play.
He says one of his biggest challenges has been getting people to take him seriously. His first album, "Cellphone" was self produced and he had to release it independently because he couldn't get a record deal.
Umthakathi has been received better and there is talk of Terblanche getting signed to a local label for its release.
"I think that Sean has a future in this industry, because Maskandi is something different for even for an African guy whose is not part of this culture, is not easy to sing like he does, so I think he has a good, good big future in this industry," said Sound Engineer, Zak Mhnhassavale.
"I think Sean Terblanche is gonna make it, because many black people like him very much, because he is singing in Zulu language, his future is gonna be bright, because is very much optimistic about what he is doing, he is gonna be much more successful than expected," said Shamza Mkhwanazi, a producer who writes the songs for Tereblanche.
Tereblanche is not the first white South African artist to use Zulu.
Internationally renowned artist, Johnny Clegg mixed Zulu and English in hits like "Asimbonaga" meaning "we haven't seen him", a song that called for the release of anti-apartheid icon, Nelson Mandela in the 1980's.
Terblanche has a less political message, and chooses to focus on telling stories about Zulu culture based on love and social issues.
"My new album is titled "Umthakathi" by Ibhubesi Elimhlophe, which means The White Lion and Umthakathi is talking about the witch-doctors that walk around at night, especially here in Joburg causing misfortune to other people, and spell bounds, which causes jinx, and right in the middle of the night we can hear the dogs barking, and we try to catch them but they escaped and it is talking that the witch-doctors should be impaled," he said.
A former engineering student who dropped out of university to pursue music, Tereblanche says his passion is real. He hopes to gain a countrywide fanbase that will not only appreciate his music but also embrace cultures different from their own. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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