Maqhinga Radebe started his career in the mid 80’s. He won the Ijuba Maskandi competition in 1991.
In 1994 he won the audition for the Multi- Grammy award winning Ladysmith Black Mambazo leader, Joseph Shabalala who was looking for the best Maskandi guitar player to accompany his group in a play that he had written with Eric Simonson, an American director. The play was about his first song that he wrote in the 60’s Nomathemba. Maqhinga won the part and sang and played guitar in the play. The play was very successful it first opened in Chicago Steppenwolf Theater in 1995 and later on in 1996 went on to New Jersey and Washington DC and closed in Boston Massachusets in 1998.
On his return to South Africa, Maqhinga formed Shabalala Rhythm with Sibongiseni and Thamsanqa Shabalala whom he had met in Nomathemba. In Shabalala Rhythm Maqhinga plays his Maskandi guitar, sings as well as writes some of the songs. He has recorded 5 albums with Shabalala Rhythm.
In 2003 along with Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Danny K, Maqhinga Radebe with Shabalala Rhythm was invited to entertain at Nelson Mandela's home where he was hosting an event to honor Oprah Winfrey. Lately Maqhinga Radebe has been performing all over South Africa sharing stages with well known artists such as Hugh Masekela, Jabu Khanyile, SSQ, KB, Kabelo, Jabu Sithole, Deborah Fraser, Phuzekhemisi, Soul Brothers, Mfiliseni Magubane, Joe Nina, Coyote Steve Kekana, African Footprints and Oliver Mtukudzi… and many more.
In 2004 he recorded his first solo Album called Ematekisini and the in 2006 his second Album Fakimali his latest album which came out in March 2010 with songs like Ama Cleavage and Nyameka was produced by Mthandeni Mvelase and Sibongiseni Shabalala has excellent reviews from South African media and is featured on the top 20 of the most played songs in the radio. Mthandeni has produced so many well known artists such as Thandiswa Mazwai, Jabu Khanyile, Shabalala Rhythm and many other artists.
In July 2005 the Maqhinga was invited to perform in England with a Poet from Zimbabwe Albert Nyathi because of his skills in playing Maskandi guitar Albert Nyathi always features Maqhinga Radebe when he has tours in the UK.
Recently he has been invited to perform at the celebration for South African President, Jacob Zuma, at his home Enkandla. His latest release, Ama-Cleavage is receiving a lot of airplay.
Maqhinga’s albums have sold in excess of 100 000 copies.
Maqhinga has partnered with Mozambique Folk Singer, Dino Miranda to bring SA meets Moz. They will record a song together, shoot a video for it and perform at various venues around Maputo, Mozambique.
This project is supported by the SAMRO FOUNDATION and the British Council in South Africa.
Message: Kick Xenophobia to the Curb. Africa is for All Africans
PAUL NEL HALL, BEKKESDAL, WESTONARIA R50. TICKETS AT THE DOOR
Catch Maqhinga at Maskandi Rocks Johannesburg 31st May 2013 and 1st June 2013 Thokoza Hall and Paul Nel Hall in Bekkesdal. R50 gets you in