BlackJahman had eventually released his much-awaited album a fortnight ago. According to thousands of his fans, it was long overdue, as he had initially promised to release his new musical project towards the end of last year.

“I couldn’t come forth with a new offer at that time, because of logistic stumbling blocks. I have always felt that I had to wait for an opportune time so as to give Jah people good music,” explains BlackJahman as an apology to his fans.

The 11-song reggae offering is titled What a Day, and he invites all people to jump up in jubilee and celebrate the gift of life, freedom and peace. “What a day – jump and celebrate in harmony!” he sings.

On the first track, he advises all people who are in serious relationships to stop promising each other “heaven and earth” or “the stars and the moon.” The artist’s opinion is that many relationships end up on the rocks, because of promises which are hard to fulfill. “So many divorce after the wedding – what is wrong with you, people?” he asks in the song.

He sings about trust, respect and commitment as virtues which should serve as foundation for every lasting relationship.

Five songs are sung in English, two in Sesotho, two in Tshivenda and the other two in Xitsonga. Songs such as Naledi ya bophelo, Buwa and Tlangelani Africa are well arranged in terms of sound and lyrics quality. However, the song Lufuno fhedzi, which is a redo of All we need (is love, peace) from the previous album Messiah’s Mercy, is a bit of a letdown if you have listened to the original English version.

BlackJahman believes that as a nation which seeks to see the prevailing of peace, the modern style of living, government policies and constitution need to be revisited by doing what is right and for all people to refrain from wrongdoings. “We need to forget about racial and gender issues and start focusing on building our nation,” he speaks affectionately.

This musician was born Witness Ntshangase in the dry mountains of Dlomodlomo in KwaZulu Natal and grew up in Mkhuhlu Tsema-marhumbu village in Mbombela, Mpumalanga.

Somewhere inside the sleeve of the album is written the warning: “Piracy is an offence and is also a sin”.