Picture: @iamzuluboy
South African musician and actor Zuluboy has addressed the strong reaction sparked by his recent rendition of Hugh Masekela’s iconic song, Chileshe.
The artist, whose real name is Mxolisi Majozi, found himself at the centre of online debate after sharing a video of himself singing the politically charged track on social media.
While some fans praised his interpretation and willingness to revisit a South African classic, others questioned the timing and criticised the lyrics which speak directly to South Africa’s current illegal immigration tension.
“This is NOT it my brother. You have a US Visa but you’re advocating for people not to be compliant in SA simply because we are all Africans,” commented one user.
“Bro this is serious. Country is being destroyed,” said another.
Also see: Zuluboy in a legal battle with Umkhokha: The curse
Unity through music
Speaking to TimesLive in response to the backlash, Zuluboy explained that his aim was to create patriotism and unity.
“Our responsibility as artists is when a nation is divided, an artist’s job is to bring them together through music, so let’s not run away from our duty as artists,” he said.
The star currently resides in America where he is furthering his musical endeavours. He expressed that seeing the March and March protests from abroad made him think of musicians, including Jonas Gwangwa, who sang Africa Lefatshe La Badimo, and Mariam Makeba, singing Malaika in Swahili.
“Let us work together as Africans in achieving a better future. It starts with us South Africans in taking accountability for how to uproot corruption and put systems in place for those who are there legally. Crime is a crime, and corruption affects us all. It’s not politics; this is human nature,” he told TimesLive.
Also see: What MK’s election victory could mean for Zuluboy
Social media and artistic expression
The incident has also reignited conversations about artistic freedom in the digital age. Social media platforms have given artists unprecedented access to audiences, but they have also increased scrutiny, with posts often judged within minutes of being online.
For Zuluboy, the discussion appears to be part of a broader conversation and creative journey. As the debate continues online, Hugh Masekela’s musical legacy remains as powerful as ever, inspiring conversation long after his passing.
Also see: South Africans remember Hugh Masekela
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