Phillip Kakaza
Jabu Khanyile is a composed and impassive man whose self-image is clearly important to himself and his audiences. He is a self-taught, spiritual singer who has been influenced by religion and African tradition.
He was an active member of the Apostolic Zionist church at an early age and reckons he was caught by the spell of isigupu (the drum) and the gyration of Zionist church members as a young boy. “The sound of the drum conjured me, and I grew up researching the origin of it. History had it that it was one way Africans communicated in the olden days,” says Khanyile.
It was this research that led Khanyile to a passionate celebration of his African roots. “I see myself as a social worker,” he says, “spreading the message of love, forgiveness and unity through music.”
His Africanism is reflected by his bold and idiosyncratic outfits – whenever he performs he carries his royal East African fly-whisk and is always clad in Masai and Zulu beads.
Like a traditional leader, he waves an ishoba, a ceremonial stick, which was presented to him by a Kenyan musician. “Some think this is my traditional weapon which I use to bewitch people,” he jokes.
Ishoba is a symbol of royalty and is mostly given to people who are gifted – proof that Khanyile is a true prince of Africa – a charismatic leader who has kept Bayete going strong for a decade. And at any stage in that decade you’d have been hard pressed to score a ticket for one of their shows without joining a frothing stampede.
It’s been a steady rise to fame, culminating in performances in which his music has spoken on behalf of all Africans. Last year he made a huge impact when he did a benefit recording called So Why For – for displaced African children – with other greats like Youssou N’Dour and Papa Wemba.
So he’s not in it “just for money or fame”, and the content of his songs rings with social issues.
The title of his latest release is Umathimula, a traditional term referring to the act of sneezing, often prevalent in the rituals of sangoma divination. It’s a traditional reference that seems to come with a challenge: “The theme of the album is respect,” says Khanyile with trademark passion, “but it also speaks about the preservation of our culture.”
In a song titled Bomme, he laments: “Our mothers give us love and respect, and we don’t give it in return.”
Aspiring to unite all South Africans, Khanyile uses Sesotho, Zulu and English in his songs. “If we put away the different languages,” he says, “we are just one African nation. If you look at the Masai, you’ll find they are just plain Zulus. For instance, the two nations pierce their ears in the same way and have common words like ubaba (father), and umama (mother).”
Khanyile’s strong beliefs, and varied talents, have allowed him to spread his wings in different directions. Being keen to work with youngsters, he recently helped to produce the first solo recording by his backing artist Khululiwe Sithole, called Isondlo. Like Khanyile’s, Sithole’s songs spread the message of love and the value of African tradition.
In this way, Khanyile’s talents and beliefs display his immense generosity of spirit.
Jabu Khanyile and Bayete will perform at the Jethro Sasha Memorial Service at Mega Music on Sunday August16.