He grew up looking after cattle and goats in the deeply rural mountainous village of Mudzidzidzi, north of Thohoyandou. Today, he is a celebrated composer and singer of Venda traditional wedding songs.

Affectionately known as “the king of weddings” by his adoring fans, Mashudu Nematoka is famous for his acrobatic dancing styles on stage and the ability to hook his audience whenever he performs.

Since he launched his professional music career in 2005, Nematoka has had five successful albums under his belt. His songs, O wana Mufunwa wawe and A hu na damu li si na ngwena, are making waves in music circles and are receiving massive airplay at several radio stations, especially in Limpopo.

“I started singing at a very early age. My primary school teachers realized that I have a musical talent and they encouraged me to take music seriously. I used to sing in church with my mother, Mavis, until my father, Johannes, bought me my first guitar and keyboard. I then went to the studio in 2005 to record my first album, Mudzimu u na rine, which was received with enthusiasm by my fans. My second album, Hosana, was released in 2007 and it was followed by Ri vhadali shangoni, which was released in 2008. I went back to the studio in 2012 to release another famous album, Duvha la u somola. My latest album is called Damu li si na ngwena”, he said.

Earlier this year, Nematoka released an entertaining DVD which covers four of his previous albums. “The DVD is a special gift to my fans and I’m happy that it still in great demand. I will continue to give my fans the best music because they are the ones who made me what I am today.”

Nematoka’s latest album, Damu li si na ngwena, contains ten hot tracks which also include Sathane u kwasha mbingano, Vhakalaha ndi dzi library, Jesu ndi khosi, Litshani u vetana, Lufuno lwa vhukuma, Vhaswa thonifhani, Tsheyani khekhe and Ndi ni tamela mashudu. The album was launched last week before a capacity crowd at Thohoyandou Primary School in Pretoria.

What does the future hold for this prolific musician? “Despite a lack of resources and finances, my plan is to establish a non-profit organization which will help budding artists to venture into professional music careers.”

For CD sales, public performances and bookings, Nematoka can be contacted on 078 328 5135.