South African Mbaqanga group from KwaZulu-Natal, aka Soul Brothers celebrates Heritage Month and their journey by releasing a book titled “The Life and Times of Soul Brothers” written by Sydney Maluleke. The book launch event will be held at the Joburg Theatre on September 3, 2023, from 2 p.m. until late, and the band will be performing live on the day. Book launch tickets can be purchased here: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1532797991
Moses Ngwenya says “Like everyone else, I am what I am. This book is a memoir for my family and supporters of all the late band members that I began with, so I am very happy that it will finally be launched for all generations to come to know about the band and umbhaqanga.”.
Sydney Maluleke the author and publisher of the book says, “The Life and Times book of a popular South African music group book tells the story of the Soul Brothers: how the band was formed, their albums and how they were composed, how they lost members, why they are called kings of Mbaqanga, and what their music is all about. Although The history of the Soul Brothers is told through the eyes of Moses Ngwenya who is the co-founder of the band, it also relies on many perspectives as one of their young followers who have lived during the era of the band. The book captivates the reader by using a multimodal approach. It consists of their unknown photos and those that people might have forgotten as well as very old newspapers and magazines that captured their life”.
The Soul Brothers has been in the music industry since the mid-70s. The book has been written through the voice of their only surviving original member, Moses Ngwenya. It captures the history of the group since its formation in 1975 by David Masondo, Tuza Mthethwa, Zenzele Mchunu, American Zulu, and Moses Ngwenya. The first four of these members have passed on through different circumstances: illnesses, gunshots, and car accidents. Amongst other bands that are peers and counterparts with the Soul Brothers are Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Izintombi Zesimanjemanje, Mahlathini and Mahotella Queens, Steve Kekana, and many others.
The Soul Brothers are currently the only active surviving Mbaqanga group of the 70s that still records and tours around the world performing live. They have recorded over 45 albums and sold millions of albums, earning them many awards, and making them one of the biggest-selling groups in South Africa.
The book can be ordered at Maluks Books PTY (LTD) via email or phone: sydney.fetsie@gmail.com / Cell: 0785446688
Connect with Soul Brothers online to follow their historic journey f
