Just like many up-and-coming artists, Mutshidzi Citizen Dzivhani from Muledane experienced several challenges on her way to releasing her debut album.

She started singing gospel music when she was still a Sunday school child. Her exposure to music grew with time and she became an active member of the Family Worship Centre Church choir at the age of 10. She later became the church’s worship team leader.

After passing her Grade 12 at the Raluswielo High School, she enrolled for a degree in Youth Development at the University of Venda. While at Univen, she used her spare time to write songs. Aiming to record her first album, she and her stage partner, Phumudzo Netshianane, went to Convee Music Recording Studio in Thohoyandou in March last year. The product was her debut album, Yesu O vuwa, which was released early last month.

The 26-year-old Citizen says that her new release is available at local music outlets. The album has 10 tracks and is dedicated to Christians of all age groups, irrespective of the church to which they belong. Some of the songs that have what it takes to make the album an instant hit include O an halalela, Ndo itwa muswa, A kaidza and Ndo itwa muswa.

She says that the album is selling very well at this stage and the demand is by far higher than she can supply. According to her, her husband, Mr Ntevheleni Muthevhuli, is very supportive of her career. She also expressed the hope that the album will not fall prey to music pirates.

People who want to book her for performances can phone her on 079 963 9346.