THE LARGER THAN LIFE DJ NJEBZA!

What do the current Miss Swaziland; Linda Hutchinson, the reigning MTN SWAMA Music Awards Hip-Hop Artist of the Year; 80 Script and one of the kingdom’s foremost clothing brands SGONIAN REPUBLIK have in common?

That is none other than the fact that they all hail from Siteki, the eastern gem nestled in the Lubombo Plateau, a town from where also hails the talent we are getting ourselves acquainted to today, Njabulo ‘DJ Njebza’ Mbhamali.
He is one of the nominee in the recently held inaugural MTN SWAMA Music Awards under the ‘Song of the Year’ for his hit ‘I-Party KaBani’ featuring Shota. He is a DJ-cum-producer who has slowly worked his way up towards legendary status, not only within the Lubombo Region, but gradually within the whole of Swaziland, STYLE delves in to his world.

Good day DJ Njebza, great to have you. To kick-start our interview, kindly tell us a bit about yourself – for the curious reader and fan-in-the-closet; who is DJ Njebza? What drives him? And what excites him?
Thank you for having me, it’s an honour. Well, I was born Njabulo Mbhamali, a very passionate young man about his music; both in making and sharing it. I gladly concede that I am a commercial house music slave, may I also concede to that music, beautiful music in its entirety is what drives me. I hail from Siteki (born and bred) but I am for all of Swaziland and hopefully through my work, soon I’ll be able to proclaim that I belong to the world. I am excited by each new day as it dawns and all the possibilities and growth opportunities it brings, musically and otherwise. Nothing drives me than knowing that through my talent I can make people from all walks of life happy, the idea of knowing that I am able to survive doing what I love mostly keeps me sane and pushes me to work hard every day.

When did you start deejaying? What and who inspired you?
Through my brother, DJ Mfundo’s valued guidance and mentorship in 2009 when I was still in primary school and what inspired me to join in on this was initially the curiosity of what he was doing with all these machines and through his use of effects, the sound they were able to give out, which as a child greatly fascinated me. So as he played at home I would watch with glee and one day seeing how entranced I was; he was happy to teach me the basics and from there, the rest has been history.

In all this growth, from your starting out to now, no doubt you’re one of Swaziland’s finest commercial DJs, how has family support been?
I am happy and proud to say that I will never ask for a better family, as from day one, my mother and siblings alike have been nothing but the much needed wind beneath my wings as I try to figure this whole game out, they have been quite an anchor. From comforting us (Mfundo and myself) after a bad night at the office to of course, helping us out financially when we were starting out back in the day. The support has been phenomenal, and I remain eternally grateful to have folks like the one I have.

How has the support from your people here been? Anything you can improve?
Well, I believe the town has always done its bit of good producing greats, besides the social side of things; from XI Men in Flight back in the days, and in business, who in Swaziland does not know Babe Moses Motsa? All these are dynamics which I believe inspire all of us as young people trying our best to bring the best out of our little town, a best from which I believe the town has a duty to reciprocate by whatever means affordable. So, to answer the question, the support has been growing with every show and I am confident more and better is still to come. We are growing.
Your dream for the town’s night-life and overall entertainment industry?
Ultimately, we must rule. We have the necessary resources and talents to achieve this prospect; it is process we must of course respect. But we are coming.

Then to the challenges you face, as you grow and as does the industry; how do you deal with these and what keeps you sane?
My family and my music continue to revitalise and keep me sane, both dynamics I am beyond grateful to God for, and well, people are randomly telling me how much they appreciate what we are doing doesn’t hurt either, love it.

You have collaborated with some South African big names, who among these did you enjoy working with the most?
While not taking away anything from any of my talented Mzansi collaborators, I must say that working with my icon DJ Tira owns this premise, from his strides as a businessman right up to his work behind the decks, I respect him and the chance to learn from him was quite a treat I will eternally treasure.

Your career ambitions in the next 3-5 years?
Ultimately, I have to be made in Swaziland for the world, respected and with several international awards under my belt, and nothing else much really.

Speaking of ‘international’, would you consider leaving Swaziland and go push your hustle in South Africa?
Besides being home, a place like no other, Swaziland presents to me the perfect laboratory in which my creative enzymes are better catalysed, so while I hold strong ambitions for Mzansi to know and love me, I am working hard every day for that to happen while I am working from home. For collaborations, tours and gigs though, no doubt the rest of Africa and the world leave one with no choice, the road is a must.

And ultimately, the famous part of our interactions; your parting words to fans, aspiring DJ’s and producers and the Swazi nation at large.
To the lovers of my work; thank you, don’t stop and let’s grow together. To the aspiring creatives, you will growth only through humility and good choices, never stop learning and to the Swazi nation; help us grow, support us, all we do is yours, without you we are nothing, and please look out for my summer-banger ‘Sdom Sdom’ featuring DJ Tira on the airwaves.

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