Local musician Thobile Makhoyane is set to stage a musical theatre production titled 'Tribute to the Source' at the Mbabane Theatre Club on November 5. The production pays tribute to the elders who served as traditional custodians of the instrument and aims to bring awareness to the Smilophone, an instrument invented by legendary musician Smiles Makama.
The Smilophone, a purely Swati invention, combines different tones of the Makhoyane into a unified instrument. Thobile Makhoyane's production is structured as a musical and movement piece centered around the traditional Makhoyane bow. The showcase also pays homage to Makama's Smilophone and the rich heritage and musical depth embedded within the Makhoyane.
Thobile Makhoyane has invited fellow artists Sibonisiwe Dlamini, Zandile Malinga, and Nono to feature in the performance. The production was initially planned to have eight characters in the creative industry, but budget constraints led to a scaled-down version. Makhoyane is a vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer widely recognized for her role in preserving and modernizing traditional Swati soundscapes.
Thobile Makhoyane's musical style melds vocal harmonies and indigenous instruments, most notably the traditional Makhoyane musical bow, with contemporary performance practices, studio arrangements, and global musical influences. She has performed across traditional cultural gatherings and international collaborative platforms, including the MTN Bushfire CollaboNation project.
Through her multidisciplinary stage work and recording projects, Makhoyane continues to champion endangered traditional instruments while introducing younger audiences to Swati cultural heritage. The production aims to shine a light on the rich heritage and musical depth embedded within the Makhoyane, addressing the vision behind the production.
Thobile Makhoyane noted that whenever she encounters people, she is often asked about what the instrument carries; this showcase aims to provide answers. The title 'Tribute to the Source' derives inspiration from Smiles Makama's album 'The Source', which was a significant influence on Makhoyane's musical journey.
The event is set to take place at the Mbabane Theatre Club, and music enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the showcase. With her unique blend of traditional and contemporary music, Thobile Makhoyane is sure to deliver an unforgettable performance.
Key points
- The production pays tribute to the elders who served as traditional custodians of the instrument and aims to bring awareness to the Smilophone.
- Thobile Makhoyane's musical style combines traditional and contemporary elements.
- The event is set to take place at the Mbabane Theatre Club on November 5.
