OTHATHEKILE MUSIC BAND

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Introduction:

The band was founded by four youth from a disadvantaged background. Sthembiso Bhodoza grown by a single parent , Seluleko Zulu grown up an orphan , Mhlengi Mlotshwa born disabled and Siyabonga Mngadi who ever since remained unemployed .

Two of the founders where the first to form a music group doing Maskandi Music early 2012 just for fun, and those are, Sthembiso Bhodoza (As a Maskandi guitarist and leading vocalist) with Seluleko Zulu(As a backing vocalist for Sthembiso Bhodoza). Mhlengi Mlotshwa the third founder joined the group in 2016 as their manager inspired by the unrecognized talent, he started to transform the group to a serious music business . He did so by using his own business managing company called BLACK TOOL, and this is when for the first time and currently the company still manages their work. From this year, 2016 on wards, the group was being profiled professionally like all music bands, groups, artists and musicians. It was profiled after Sthembiso Bhodoza’s nickname, Hlanganani Dube simply because these two members introduced themselves to Mhlengi Mlotshwa by this name.

TRANSFORMING TO A MUSIC BAND:

On one of their stage performances (Second performance ever), performing live at their nearest local school, Hlalakahle Primary , surprisingly things had to change

Along the profiling. Seluleko Zulu who was known by the group for being a backing vocalist, popped out his hidden talent of being a vocalist in general, songwriter, leading vocalist on multi genres but based on Afro Soul. For the very first time then on this event, he introduced the main Maskandi performance with his, performing a solo accapella version of the song Nomvula by the late Nathi.

What a surprise, commented Mhlengi Mlotshwa as the manager. Positive feedbacks on social media and word of mouth with these performers after the event. It was because of this day, 8 October 2017 at Hlalakahle Primary school that a band was formed transforming from a maskandi music group to a multi genre music band. At this point of time now, a new name was needed for a rebrand . This would now mean that the new band is no longer led by Sthembiso Bhodoza like previously named , Hlanganani Dube for the Maskandi Group. It was a challenge finding a name though, but finally the best name was OTHATHEKILE given by the same Sthembiso Bhodoza.

O T H A T H E K I L E M U S I C B A N D

Transforming from just a Maskandi genre music group to a Multi genre music band loaded a lots of changes with Othathekile . The main idea was to impress as much audience as possible and to recognize as much talent of the founders as possible. The new genres of the band where than, Maskandi, Afro Soul and Reggae . The inspiration was based on multi talents of the band founders. Mhlengi Mlotshwa becoming a manager of the band and now a reggae music composer of the band, his songs sang by Seluleko Zulu. Seluleko Zulu remains a Maskandi backing vocalist for the band and now a song writer, leading vocalist at his own Afro Soul music songs played by the band. Sthembiso remains at his Maskandi music.

Late during the year 2018, the band was of at it’s best marketing stage around it’s local areas of Ndwedwe as a whole. This is when and where the fourth member was added as a founder, Siyabonga Mngadi. This founder was actually the one whom introduced Sthembiso Bhodoza into a guitar, teaching him how to play it from stretch. After years separation they found each other and one updating another on what’s going on in their music career . Along that conversation Siyabong Mngadi paid attention to Sthembiso Bhodoza’s way forward and wanted to join him in the band.

At this time, the band on stage was known as a two piece band where Sthembiso Bhodoza will play a guitar live while leading a song and Seluleko Zulu as a backing vocalist. The same way opposite when Seluleko Leads a song Sthembiso will play a guitar for him. The band actually needed another backing vocalist . Siyabonga Mngadi was introduced to Mhlengi Mlotshwa as the manager, who suggested Mngadi to be treated as an additional and a backing vocalist needed at first. It was an excitement for Siyabonga.

September 2018, the band had an audition at the PlayHouse in Durban. Few weeks before this audition, it was then Siyabonga’s very first time rehearsing with the band preparing for this audition, however he was at his best, performing exactly what was expected of him . After these auditions, Siyabonga Mngadi was approved to fully join the band.

A while later, Mhlengi Mlotshwa experienced more of Siyabonga Mngadi’s skills. He seemed more qualifying and interested on being one of the founders as well. This was observed by all current founders of the band, his passion, contributions, dedication aiming at his best level. This is how Siyabonga Mngadi became the fourth founder of the band, now allowed as a song writer, leading vocalist and guitarist as well contributing whatever talent and skills he has like the rest of the founders. He is also a Maskandi Based artist and in addition an assisting manager of the band, mentored by Mhlengi Mlotshwa.

All social and marketing platforms where updated thereafter, and this included the logo of the band created by Mhlengi Mlotshwa. The first logo was with Sthembiso Bhodoza and Seluleko Zulu’s faces as the founders, and today the logo changed to the current seen with OMB (Abbreviation for Othathekile Music Band) styled font, registered band name underneath, a guitar/tremble clef stave/piano signs and the band’s blog site.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:

Community development in art is one of the main aims for this music band, mainly developing upcoming instrumentalists. The founders of the band are based in song writing, music creation, vocalists and mostly in management . This therefore means that the band mostly come across the situation of needing instrumentalist who will play in the full band as additional band members. In addition, with Maskandi Music, zulu dancers are required to entertain with the band . In this case, the band works full time with local and upcoming musicians or artists including them in the band and paying them off, creating job opportunities .

BAND DETAILS:

Type: 12 Piece Band

Booking Options:

ü Full Band

ü Two Piece Band

ü Backing track Performance

Technical ride per booking option:

Booking Options:	Technical ride:
Full Band	v 1 Drum Kit Set v 1 Bass Guitar and Bass Amp v 2 Guitar Amps v 2 Keyboards with their Stands v 4 Wireless Microphones with stands v Piano v Percussions
Two Piece Band	v 2 Guitar Amps v 3 Wireless Microphones with Stands
Backing track performance	v Sound System accommodating CD s v CD Player