24 Aug 2021

Veteran drummer and one of Botswana Defence Force (BDF) band’s pioneering members, Phillip Mhlanga has dished a beautifully crafted and colourfully toned 17-track album titled, Project Afrika Collaboration.

The beautifully arranged album was produced by Katlego Ndlovu, who also played keyboards in most songs.

The album features among others, upcoming artiste Oliver Gaolaolwe popularly known as Oliver the Poet.

His maiden offering titled Folktale, which was recorded at Mosu Mantsie saw him lift the first prize of the first edition of the Pan African music challenge early this year.

Other notable tracks include Ingoma, an African fused rhythmic collaboration of Brian Khuzwayo and Mhlanga, followed by Punah Gabasiane Molala’s Botsala and Mhlanga’s own offering Tribute to Dan Tshanda.

Other tracks to pay close attention to include Seswara inspired folklore Uwe, four string offering Tsala yame and Mmangwane by veteran musician Bonjo Keipidile.

In an interview recently, Mhlanga said he decided to contribute to the nation and his own community by offering recording services to underprivileged artistes who had been hard hit by the ravaging effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The foundation of the nicely furnished studio was to empower young and financially challenged artistes to establish their talent and nurture their careers in the music industry.

The idea is the brainchild of Mhlanga whose association with music dates back to his years as a young boy.

Mhlanga’s passion for music throws back to his formative years in the small village of Otse where he was born and raised.

Though he moved to Gaborone at some later stage in life, Mhlanga drew inspiration from the folklore story of Lentswe La Baratani and penned a song celebrating the mysterious hill located in Otse.

The hill is revered by villagers as is regarded as a seat for their ancestors. A story is shared in the community that in the early 80s two lovers climbed the hill running away from their parents who did not approve of their marriage and were never seen again.

Mhlanga was part of the search party who were up to this day on a wild goose chase.

Buoyed by the positive response of the song Mhlanga put together a film documenting the hill and it struck equal success and eventually won a spot on the Zimbabwe International Film Festival.

The annual film festival promotes films made by amateur filmmakers who make movies commenting on the African culture.

The Mosu Mantsie studio set up in his own house in Mmopane turns out to be a dream come true for the legendary drummer who has been described by many of his music colleagues as having an amazing musical brain.

Mhlanga hopes to bring more artistes on board and pleads with the corporate sector to assist the initiative in the midst of the economic strain brought by the pandemic.

He said he would be more than glad if local radio stations in their quest to promote local content could play this type of music regularly. ENDS