Music

Those who know the household names in music circles from Makonde village will boastfully mention Shufflers Ragimana, Phillip Tshililo, Azwivhavhi Ndou, Burning Saul Nephawe, Tsire Magalela, Ramzeey Ramalata and 30 Mrepa Rasivhetshele. The list will, however, be incomplete if the name of Thilemelwi Arnold Mukwevho is not added.

Like a veld fire spreads rapidly in windy weather conditions, Thilemelwi’s music is spreading in the highly competitive music industry. To consolidate his grand entryin to the tough music world, Thilemelwi’s debut afro-jazz album, Vho lila mmawe, was nominated in the Best Traditional Artist category for the recent Tshima awards. The Tshima was eventually won by April Ramufhi.

Famously known as Papa Thile by his adoring fans, the young and hardworking artist jubilantly said that good things came to those who waited. “But waiting without hard work is like trying to force a square peg into a round hole.”

Born in 1986 as the first-born of five children in the family, Papa Thile developed a love for music at a very young age. “We used to watch Shufflers rehearsing in a half-built, one-roomed house many years ago and I fell in love with music. I would go home and play mydurumbaza (homemade guitar made of an old oil tin and rubber bands) because my single mother, who sold magwinya (fat cakes) for survival, could not afford to buy me a guitar. I am happy that things have now changed for the better, and the rest is history.”

A keen Marimba player and emerging businessman, Papa Thile advises young people who want to follow a music career to seek education first. “Besides playing music, I am a qualified architect and I have something to lean on if my music career is not doing well in future.”

Papa Thile’s album, which has sold more than 8 000 copies in two months, comprises nine tracks. These are the title track Vho lila mmawe, as well as Vhokhotsi ashu, Vivho, Ndi do swika, Lu nga si fhele, Ndo neta, Nwali wanga, Mmbofhololeli and Kaini. The album is receiving massive airplay on Phalaphala FM and regional radio stations. It is available in music shops in Thohoyandou, Polokwane, Pretoria and Johannesburg. For bookings, music sales and public performances, Papa Thile can be contacted on 079 280 9398.