ArtistInfo

Mdu Keswa

key,
Musician of World
A.k.a. Mduduzi Kheswa

Mduduzi Kheswa was born in Umlaza, south of eThekwini. His earliest musical memory is of traditional dancing and playing guitar. The guitar was homemade: a 5 liter tin, wood and fish gut or tyre tube. At the age of 14, Mduduzi started appearing with local groups and musicians like Bongi Shabane, The Goings, Bongani Sokhela, Mandla Zikalala and Stax, to mention a few, at events in eThekwini and the surrounding areas. He was exposed to many different kinds of music—gospel, pop, traditional and jazz fusion. “This period was crucial in the formation of my musical outlook”, he notes with great joy. In 1985 Mduduzi headed for Gauteng to join a pop outfit, Casino. There he met the great musicians of the time. He took part in the “The Unfinished Story Tour” of South Africa, sharing the stage with the world’s renowned like Stimela, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Lucky Dube and many others. This was the time of nightclubs, festivals, road shows and political unrest in most townships and rural areas. He then left Gauteng to concentrate on perfecting his keyboard playing technique and to further his education in eThekwini in 1988. While on a short encounter with Sakhile - a jazz fusion outfit of the “Mantombi” fame - Mduduzi was introduced to music reading and writing, and jazz music by Khaya Mahlangu, one of the founder members of the band. He recalls of this experience: “I’m so grateful to God for making that awesome coincidence occur in this lifetime.” In 1990 he joined Sarafina and toured Canada and America. The following year Mduduzi then teamed up with Busi Mhlongo and Twasa, and in 1993 the band cut a CD named “Ababhemu” which saw them travelling to the Netherlands, UK and Switzerland. Getting back to Gauteng in 1995 opened even more opportunities for him. For the following ten years Mduduzi performed and recorded with prominent names and productions in the entertainment industry. These include The Shell Road to Fame, Vusi Khumalo, Jabu Khanyile and Bayete, The Daughter of Nebo, Themba Mkhize, Geoff Mapaya, Caiphus Semenya, Letta Mbulu, Kgomotso Moshugi, Queen Londiwe 1, Just Chilling, and many more. Driven by the desire to make a positive contribution to society and pursuit of excellence, in May 2013, 168 Prosperity Drive was founded. “The establishment of 168 Prosperity Drive was an important step towards realizing my goals.” he said. “This was to be the first of many important changes for me as artist, writer and producer in many years.” He said it will primarily handle everyday activities from writing, music production to publishing and outreach programs and much more. Mduduzi Kheswa has recently released his Debut Album– Asking Forgiveness (2018) - under this name. Throughout his career Mduduzi has learned to roll with the punches and bounce back time and again. His remark: “Music is a calling, and my profession encourages me to persevere and to follow on the path of the Wise Ones of our Universe with faith and dignity. Always.”

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