Following in big brother's footsteps

The 23-year-old is the last born of a family of five which comprises of her mother who knits; a brother, soul artist, Bholoja; another who is a photographer, another who is an artist and a sister who is a successful hair stylist in South Africa. "Singing became one of the arts I chose to follow because seemingly, it runs in the family," she says. Armed with the passion for music and the arts, the songbird chose to follow her heart and pursue her musical career as she felt it was something worth her while and she was born for it.

She says her brother, Bholoja and her were in different world’s growing up and having to work with him now is something she had never contemplated. "We were both in separate worlds and didn’t think we’d take it this far someday and cook up a storm together in the musical front," she says. She is also a model who aspires to branch into fashion design next year. "I am looking forward to studying fashion design in South Africa next year," she says. Her passion for modelling, she says, was inspired by her passion for fashion and all things beautiful. She is a singer and model registered under the Bholoja Arts and Technology Educational Foundation (BATEF). When quizzed on what made her venture into modelling as well, she says, "For me art encompasses a number of things which range from singing, fashion design, modelling and a number of things that showcase beauty and talent," she says. Inspired by people’s life stories and life in general she dreams of

going solo someday and releasing an Afro Jazz album. "I want to motivate people with my music and my love for art. With all my passions combined, I want to inspire and encourage people that with every talent you have you are capable of making a difference and having an impact on the lives of others," she says.

She adds that she wants to introduce a new era to the modelling fraternity in the country as she believes you don’t have to be too revealing to be a model. "Modelling is not all about revealing too much, bikinis and sexiness. It is an art as well and depending on what you are showcasing you can pull it off with just about anything artistic. I want to ditch the whole nakedness attached to modelling and see where my artistic modelling takes me," she says. She feels that although she has just arrived to the scene, she is really growing as an artist and is grateful for the fact that she is supported by the best and her role model, Bholoja. "The first few times I performed and was on the ramp, it was quite scary but I am certainly getting the grips of it all now thanks to the unyielding support from my family," she says.

She says she has realised that the Swazi art industry is very challenging in that it has not been established among other things but she has seen some improvement in the way things are going and the reception local artists are getting from the public now. "As challenging as it may be, I believe with the passion I have I will pester on because there is nothing that defeats passion," she says. She adds that she is very hopeful that the current state of art in Swaziland will change for the better someday. "I can see that things are improving tremendously as locals are getting a lot of exposure and South Africa is recognising and honouring Swazi music," she says. She says she is encouraged by the fact that people now go all out to attend 100 per cent Swazi shows which was not the case before.

With her fashion sense she says she does not want to make a straight forward statement with her designs and will work on anything that comes to her mind at that time. "When you are a designer, you are free to express yourself in any way you see fit and your clientele consists of people who love what you do. That is what makes me love the trade," she says. When quizzed on how she juggles all her passions she says she has different schedules for each and dedicates enough time on the various things she is involved in. "Singing is not something I do all the time and I make sure I organise different schedules for everything I do," she says.

She says she is so in love with what she does and feels she can take on the world now as she has learnt a number of things. She adds that working with Bholoja is a breeze. "He understands me and it’s very easy for him to correct me and tell it like it is when I am wrong. He is someone i can call a mentor," she says.

She goes on to say that life is just an experience on its own and she has chosen to embrace each and every moment. "As a person grows they go through certain moments, you meet people who teach you different lessons and I am grateful for this experience as it has made me a better person altogether," she says.

She says she is looking forward to establishing herself, getting more experience and penetrating the world of art. "I am looking forward to shining and making an impression with my music not only for myself but for my country as well," she says.

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