Ntando mthethwa
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Ntando Mthethwa grew up facing many challenges including moving frequently between different places in South Africa and Swaziland due to family difficulties. His father passed away when he was in 8th grade, leaving the family in a difficult financial situation. Music became Ntando's escape and he started leading the Amandla Omthandazo choir. They released their first album in 2017 after overcoming financial obstacles. The choir performs at various events, spreads a message of unity and faith, and aims to support disadvantaged community members through their growing membership and financial fund.
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Ntando and Amandla
omthandazo’s profile
Sambro: 2339587
For more info:
nyambosentando@gmail.com/0785423167](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/ntandomthethwa-180824082220/85/Ntando-mthethwa-1-320.jpg)
Ntando mthethwa
- 1. [Date] Ntando and Amandla omthandazo’s profile Sambro: 2339587 For more info: nyambosentando@gmail.com/0785423167
- 2. Ntando Mthethwa’s biography Ntando mthethwa was born in 1995. My grandfather called Mgudugudu. I grew up in different places due to various life challenges. I never choose where to stay but life forced everything. I will mention a few places which include Kwa-Zulu natal (Pongola), Swaziland (Hluti) and Gauteng (Katlehong). Life for me can be summarised into few words which are “struggle, believe, and solutions. I use problems to generate solutions because I believe in everything I want to do. Honestly, when I grew up, I was a very naughty and talkative child because I questioned everything. My father (Bong’nkosi) loved family more than everything. He changed a lot of people’s lives as he gathered young boys and girls and teach them Zion music. I used to attend the choir sometimes and that time nothing was important than playing with other kids. Unfortunately, when I started to be more interested in music he passed away in short space of time. I always miss the good times we spent together and some few lessons. He used to say, “bonga lokhu onakho” and also said, “konke kuneskhathi sakho masibekezele”. Everything he said makes sense now because in the real-world teaching lessons of a life time. When my father passed away, my mother (Thembisile) took care of us with my older sister, and two brothers.
- 3. Thank you, mommy. When dad passed away in 2009 I was doing my grade 8 and the following day I was writing my first final examination which was English. It was a very tough day of my life, but I went to school with a bleeding heart, but I had no choice but to hide it. My dad only left R30.00 in his pocket. There was no food left luckily people helped during his funeral and am glad he was buried with dignity. Thanks to Mam Mashabalala. Life struggle was on top of everything because my mother got very sick immediately after dad passed away and no one was working in the family. My brother, cousin and I used trap small fishes from the river and rabbits from the forest for food. Before going to school, we wake up at 3.00 am and check in bush luckily, we were the best and strategic poachers. Then, the whole family would eat. Here comes school time where we walked a few kilometres to school. We were used to walking long distances, but it affected our studies. The problem started when it started raining where we became wet along the way to school. I was bullied many times at school because I of my height and my self-esteem was very low mainly due to the loss of my dad. It all ended in a fight and got suspended because teachers never took our problems seriously. I managed to pass though although I had anger and frustration. I had no proper uniform and the uniform was not good for any child but behind all I turned a black eye on my background and focus on changing the life of my family and the nation at large. Music was the only hope for me. Its where I took away my sorrow, pain, revenge and sometimes my happiness. I learned life the hard way. I experienced a lot of things, but I swallow the pain, ignore it and take it out when am alone with my harmony. I can’t spend more than 3 hours without having a song playing in my memory. The strange part is that no one taught me how to sing but I only listen carefully to
- 4. other artists. No one taught me how to compose and manage a choir it occurred automatically. Actually, I don’t have time to write a song down, but words come as I approach different situations then melody and tune forms linked to the massage. I listen to various kinds of music not just gospel alone but even Maskandi, Reggie and other choristers. When I grew up I loved Brenda fassie (mama am sorry), lucky dube (prisoner), Incandwen Christ ambassadors (bakhiphe moses), sipho makhabane (icell-phone), D.O.C isibusiso (Phezulu enkosini) and Galatia gave me the foundation of zion music. Later, I followed Blessings in Christ, izintandane and Ukuphila kwamaswazi. I started as a young sfutho at Amandla omthandazo choir which was led by my dad, sadly when he passed away separations occurred and there was no more choir. In 2010 a man of God who groomed me in the word of God by the name of Smanga saw the potential and give me an idea of starting a small group with less than 10 people. Parts were not enough it was stressful because I have to sing two parts at the same time I listen to mistakes and teach. That’s when I realised my potential, and someone told me I was going to be a music artist if I could keep the good leadership skills. I take it as a prophet. Moreover, in 2011 I came to Johannesburg all was in my mind was that Gauteng was a place of gold, peace and happiness. I stayed at Katlehong south at extension 6 where I completed my matric at Kwadukathole comprehensive school. All I can say it was very hard!!
- 5. Sometimes, I attended different choirs to learn more but every time I came with an idea it was rejected. Then, I had to study at the University of Johannesburg but due to financial crises I stayed the whole year because no bursary approved even though my marks were good. 2015 again the same story occurred then I went to Walter Sisulu university (Mtata) I dropped out again due to lack of support structure (finance) and failure to adjust in a new life. That year I tried to find a job but there was no luck at all I even thought I was bewitched, there was no way to express the pain music was my escape? Then I came back to Gauteng and re-tried NSFAS for the last time. I do not know whether its luck or a miracle but all I know is NSFAS approved 2016 then I started my Bed (faculty of education) as am currently doing my third year. Our South African icon once said, “I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way, but I have discovered that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom comes with responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended,” this massage motivates me to keep doing what I believe is good. My first year was very hectic as I had to ask people to help me buy food and to adjust for independence. Some people turned me down, but some did not. I sometimes slept without food, but nobody knew because I felt my world was done. I remember when I eat eggs for the whole week that’s why I always say if you are a student who don’t
- 6. have eggs you really know nothing about the struggle. Let me say this, “the fact that you have shelter, food, clothes and even a cell-phone means a lot there are so many people who are less fortunate, and they wish to eat the left overs you throw away.” Furthermore, I managed to pass my first year then to my second year in 2017. I studied hard and at the same time composing songs. Then we started rehearsing on Saturdays in Katlehong and it was though. We had our sponsors sorted, they were just waiting for us to give them the date to studio. Then a hurricane strike on the last three days when our sponsors disappeared. I felt like the earth should open and swallow me as tears were flowing like rain and I made a decision of quitting music for good. I had a sleepless night and around 4 am I wake up and decides to take a risk and sacrifices my life. I went to a very kind ma, borrow some cash and promised to pay back him soon. I got R3.500 then I begged the group members to contribute then the amount was balanced. Now the problem started again when our bass members disappeared too. Other parts were ready, and I managed to organise few bass men. We were at a cross night on Friday and the following night we were at studio. By the 16th of December 2017 the album was out, and people bought the album very greatly. We managed to pay back the person who I owe for the money we used at studio. Currently am excited that my dream has come true and I have learnt that perseverance is very fruitful. A Wiseman once said that good things comes to those who wait but I believe on chasing dreams not just waiting only. I thank the Almighty and all other people who played a key role in my life either negatively or positively, all they did was to prepare me for the person I am today. I love motivating people, helping and providing solutions to even to situations which seems to be impossible. My motto is simple, “take one step at a time and fight till the last breath” “Respect is earned” & “music is my life”
- 7. Amandla omthandazo profile Amandla omthandazo is a Zion choir which is in Katlehong south, extension 6 near cultural village. It has few branches one in Swaziland, one in Durban, one in Melmoth. This group attend different ceremonies like marriage, imilindelo, iziguqo and prayers. This group is in love with praying, worshiping and teach other people about the importance of God. We rehearse during Saturdays in Katlehong. It is a diverse group which includes Sothos, Swatis, and Zulus and I am glad they understand each other and are committed to make a positive impact in the nation. They promote unity and love as they are an example to the next generation and spread the message through music (track 12). It is their first album which was full of challenges especially due to financial issues. There were so many challenges especially on the last few days however through the power of prayer and patience it was successful. I always thank them for guiding me when I feel weak because a leader should take into account what the people want. We look up to different choirs like Pure Guardian, Insindiso mass choir, Thulani manana, Galatia, Mashosho, Zion city of ministries, house of prayer etc. I always tell them that music is not about their golden voices but it about taking the massage deep and feel the song (spiritually). It is not good to sing something you don’t know what it means. The only way to understand the message is to include your emotions and feelings then it will be linked to the song. I compose songs for the group, and in most cases I don’t write a song as it automatically forms when am in emotions. Most of the songs in this album has got a deep meaning which requires a person to think deeply not just the surface. We choose the song “noma ungawubasa” as a title due to its deepest meaning. The main massage is about
- 8. motivation regarding the various situations we face in our daily bases either at home, school or work. This song was taken in the story of meshark, abeniko, and shedrack who were to be thrown in a huge fire if they don’t bow and worship the golden statue. People should not give up in life and stick to what they love. The fire is a sign of any challenge/problem people are facing but they must not give up. In word of God, it is said that even death, hunger, and any other problem like anger, pain, sickness, threats and failure cannot take us away from the love of God (track1) We thank all the prayers and support from music lovers and all people who participated in this album. The album is really being bought in high numbers and we appreciate it a lot especially because it is our first album. The choir has distributed Cd copies in various places like Durban, melmoth, Pongolo, Swaziland and also around Gauteng. We are looking forward to getting more feedback from the nation at large to improve the standard of our music. We are now in preparations for the next album. It is indeed true and factual that prayer is powerful when you believe on what you pray for. We have a super natural power from God to be the best we want to be. Today might be a bad day but always remember you were born for a specific purpose, therefore God will never forsake us (track11). The number of group members is growing as there are new members and am glad most of them are young stars, so they will get the foundation at their early age and teach the next generation. We invite other people to join any group that worships the lord to be saved from the evil spirits. We welcome any kind of person without judging as we try to help people face their problems.
- 9. We now in preparations to start a financial support fund which will start helping primary school learners without uniform and simple resources because most of them do not have parents, so they are neglected. This group is very supportive to its members for instance when one member has a funeral in his/her family, the group contribute and go to attend the ceremony even if it’s a long distance like Durban. Our vision is to see change amongst our nation mainly by spreading the massage through music. As it is said that music helps those with a broken heart. In this album most of the songs are isikhalanga which is one of the songs used by Zion people when they are praying but am glad to say we do sing chorus. In the next album we will mix the songs to accommodate all people preferences. Our motto, “anything is possible when you believe” “Treat everyone with respect, dignity, love and care” “God will never forsake us” Lastly, the choir believes everyone is going to enjoy the music and support the choir so that they can go places and continue to do the good work.