By Jonk wa Mashamba
news@alexreporter.co.za
Vesta Ebukhosini, born Nkosinathi Gumede, came into conflict with the law and was arrested several times.
He was most recently arrested in 2019, then released in September 2020.
But this chapter has already been put to rest.
He was most recently arrested in 2019, then released in September 2020
Now Vesta Ebukhosini is dedicated to healing, inspiring and making positive change with his debut album.
On this 6-track offering, the talented Vesta Ebukhosini sings about his life journey, his challenges as a young man growing up in a township under a single mother, and also about love and hope.
The EP brings together South African pop sounds, townships and beautiful voices, and the Msinga-born artist sings in both isiZulu and English.
This album was recorded by underground beatmaker Xolani Xtra Ntombela and produced by Ice Mangena. It features Rams The Violinist in a song Mama, which is dedicated to Vesta Ebukhosini’s mother.
The album came out under Ice and Orange Entertainment which released artists such as GP-MaOrange, Mr Dangerous, amongst others.
The songs he covers are:
1. Kunzima
2. Keya Morata
3. Mama
4. Umlilo Wamaphepha
5. Mama Violin Extension
6. Ngiyinja
The title song Kunzima speaks of Vesta Ebukhosini’s struggles, how his friends nearly ruined his youth, his time in prison, and poverty as the eldest of five siblings.
The song also speaks of his hope for a better life with the help of Him who is above and the ancestors.
In, the first single Keya Morata, Vesta Ebukhosini sings on love, being attracted to a beautiful woman he loves even when she often hurts him.
While he was in prison, he wrote a song in homage to his mother, which he puts on track three called Mama. This emotional song tells of his relationship with his mother, the numerous fights and arguments they had. The pressure was that, as a senior sibling, he had to look after the family.
The song is laced with Violin melodies by Rams De Violinist (known from Jazzy Disciples) who brings the song to live.
Rams the Violinist is allowed to freestyle in Track 5 Mama Violin Extension, a remix of the original track.
Umlilo Wamaphepha is a song that positions Vesta Ebukhosini as someone who seeks to run the streets against beliefs by most of his former friends and detractors who believed he was not gonna amount to anything.
Vesta Ebukhosini’s story resonates with that of every young black adolescent raised in poverty in a township in South Africa.
His mother called him Nkosinathi Gumede when he was born in Alexandra township on Valentines Day in 1994.
Nkosinathi is the firstborn of the five children of his unemployed single mother, Phumzile Gumede.
His family of seven, including his grandmother, lived in a one-room house and dilapidated shack at 11th Avenue, Alexandra.
As a result of influences in the township and the financial pressures of his household, Nkosinathi abandoned school.
He started to take singing seriously in 2009 after being persuaded by his friends who heard him drown his grief in a song.
He performed with friends on the streets of Alexandra and in the taxi stations where people gave them some money to buy bread at home.
At a certain point he sang in a competition organized by a well-known furniture store where he got the number 1 and he won himself a micro oven and a refrigerator.
Vesta Ebukhosini began writing songs, singing them on the streets as a way to avoid going into crime.
However, as more and more of his siblings dropped out of school because of a lack of funding, he was sometimes involved in criminal activities with his friends.
He was re-arrested in 2019 for house breaking and robbery.
Upon release, his Manager, Mr Ice brought him directly to the studio and the hungry Star was born.
He believes that his music will help heal broken hearts and the nation.
“I was raised in the church by a Zionist pastor. I learnt about life from the church perspective and believe my music has some spiritual element.
“I don’t remember a day in my life when I’ve never sung – whether it’s my composition, the church hymns or cultural songs. Even at school, I would sing, and they wouldn’t teach me to sing.”
In jail, he also conducted songs and prayers. His life changed when his grandfather died and had to go stay with his unemployed mother.
He believes that anything is possible and that if he were not behind the microphone, he would one day be the president of the country.
“With my music, I wish to conquer Africa. Forget the world. The world is in Africa!”
