Gogo to release album

She may walk with the help of a cane, but when the music plays, 86-year-old Mantombi Matotiyana can jive with the best.

The Philippi gogo will be releasing her debut album, titled Songs of Greeting, Healing, and Heritage soon.

And tomorrow, she will be performing at the Theatre Arts Admin Collective in Observatory.

“I am a bit nervous. It is my first solo album and it means a lot to me. I am very happy, but I don’t know what to expect,” she says.

She promises to own the stage and is “super-excited” about her traditional Xhosa outfit that she will be wearing on the day.

Gogo Mantombi is originally from Tsolo in the Eastern Cape, but relocated in 1979 to work and make umqombothi(traditional beer).

She plays three instruments, the u mrhubhe, uhadi(bow-type instrument) and the Istololo(a blowing instrument).

University of Cape Town African Music lecturer, Dizu Plaatjies, who discovered Mantombi, said he was happy he was able to convince her to continue singing and playing instruments.

“She used to be one of the best singers in our village back home and probably still is. That is why we had to make this album, to make sure her music does not die. Traditional music has not been promoted well, that is why I decided to revive it before the old people vanish with this music,” said Plaatjies.

CAN’T WAIT FOR ALBUM: Mantombi Matotiyana. Photo: Phando Jikelo. African News Agency/ANA

Mantombi has toured the world with a South African music group, he added.

She told Weekend Argus that at her age she is not performing for the money but instead wants people to enjoy her music and take them back to their roots.

Her show starts at 8pm on Tuesday.

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