Music

The  29-year-old Afro-jazz/soul musician, Muofhe Lavine Mulovhedzi, was a lucky young girl who had great teachers back in her primary-school days. They encouraged her to follow her musical talent and mentored her musical abilities.

“I joined concerts and competitions throughout my high school life and even met my first band members there,” she revealed.

Her debut album, Mysteries of love, was released in August last year, which has standout tracks such as Ndzhieni, Ni Da Lini and Mysteries of love.

A resident of Tshishivhe village, she was born at Mukula village and grew up in the mining town of Carletonville. “I later left the busy city for some tranquillity back in Venda,” she said. “Music began very early for me.”

Her parent loved music. “My father exposed me to the likes of Brenda Fassie, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Letta Mbulu, Stimela Harare and more,” she sahred. “My mother was a reggae fan who had me belting out to the likes of Lucky Dube around the age of  seven.”

At some stage she met the highly talented producer and engineer, Hani Mutele, who recorded Mysteries of love along with Vuyo Manyike,

She is inspired by musicians such as Sibongile Khumalo. “I think she is the best vocalist in this country and one of the best writers I know,” she said. “Her music is authentic and soothing. I also love Gloria Bosman, Zolani Mahola, Siphiwe Dana and Vho-Irene Mawela.”

She concluded by saying that being a musician or singer means that she has the ability to move people. “Not physically but in their hearts and their minds,” she said. “I have the opportunity to soothe a heart and to bring people together with this God-given gift. It simply means I am blessed.”

She is also a poet and a writer. Her first novel will be launched in June.