Madosini

Madosini - 'The Veteran', as she is popularly known among the Bundu societies in Mpondoland - is an undisputed Queen: the great musician, composer, story teller and the dancer of the time. Her music is extraordinary; unique not just in its scope but in its variety and the range of feelings it... Learn More »

Madosini - 'The Veteran', as she is popularly known among the Bundu societies in Mpondoland - is an undisputed Queen: the great musician, composer, story teller and the dancer of the time. Her music is extraordinary; unique not just in its scope but in its variety and the range of feelings it evokes. Since she is respected in the playing and making of Uhadi (berimbau), Isitolotplo (Jews' harp), Umrhubhe (mouthbow) and a legend in story-telling, you'll find that she also expresses feelings and thoughts of the ancient life.

Aside from their work with Amampondo, Dizu Plaatjies and Mzwandile Qotoyi also work together as DZM Projects to produce recordings by indigenous artists. Since Madosini is so revered, it's natural that she should become the first among them.Madosini's Power To the Women was released as the first DZM Project in 1997. Madosini has toured the globe with Amampondo and more recently she attended a series of WOMAD festivals accross the world.

Madosini, from the rural Eastern Cape, has entertained audiences world-wide.

Although Africans are referred to as illiterate, they are the great educators, dramatists and poets. Their theatres are not confined into one venue, they can be anywhere no matter the audience or the situation. If you are a music fanatic and considering music as the food of love therefore, human life, human nature and human condition begins in this album and it continues to the last song leaving you crying for more. The presentation of this kind of music should not be seen as the unveiling of the backward forms but the opening of the pot with treasure rich in culture. The point worth making is that we cannot move from the present to the past but we can project our knowledge of the past and share the experiences with the other people.

Life, love and respect are the concern of the artists and they wish to enjoy these sounds with people in Africa and all over the world. As human beings we are prey to an infinite number of passions; these would include ambition, belief, desire, disloyalty, falsehood, grief, jealousy, superstition and worry. All these qualities will be unpacked from song to song in this album. This keeps us moving side by side, throwing us into wonderland.
--Lungile Gadezweni

Madosini Downloads

From Dido to Madosini, a DW-Sponsored Concert at the Arithmeum in Bonn

Europe and Africa - continents that seem worlds apart. With completely different climates, customs, languages, religions, it's no wonder the music from the two continents has emerged and developed in very different directions.

The world is constantly becoming an ever smaller place, and there are more opportunities for Africans and Europeans to discover and appreciate each other's musical traditions. A recent concert at the Arithmeum in Bonn called 'From Dido to Madosini' is an example.

Compiled by the South African cellist and composer Hans Huyssen, the concert presented pieces from native African composers played by a European string quartet, as well as Huyssen's own musical compilation which fused styles from both continents. Called "The songs of Madosini," it featured a performance by a living legend, Latozi Madosini Manqineni Mpahleni. Joanna Smith was there and brought back these impressions, presented by Claudia Sarkány.