User:Kenny Mathaba

Kenny Mathaba is a multi style guitarist, harmonica and hawaiian steel guitar player, a prolific songwriter, music producer with a vast knowledge in recording studio practice. The love for music begin 1963 after i got introduced to a 3 rubber strings guitar made out of old unused fish oil tin and motor car tyre tube. In 1966 my father had built me a flat body guitar with wood, chip board and strings were made from unused motor car break cable. 1970 i went back to my grandparents in Witbank for schooling purpose. This time i met Jim Msiza wo became a friend as his interest was also on the tin guitar and he already had one, i built myself a tin guitar and we started playing as a duet. The same year, i picked up a discarded diatonic harmonica and thereafter the harmonica followed my life resulting in my name appearing on many successful record albums.

Kenny Mathaba born 19 January 1957 in Lynville township, Witbank (Emalahleni) Mpumalanga province in South Africa. Months later had to join parents in Orlando West, Soweto, Johannesburg, Gauteng province. By the way Orlando West is synonymous with the likes of Sipho Hotstix Mabuse, Kaizer Motaung, Archie bishop Desmond Tutu, Walter Sisulu, Zeph Mothoping, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela and Winnie Madikizela Mandela.

1971 i returned to Orlando West to join my parents, this time my fingers were a bit strong enough to tackle a real guitar. A friend by the name of Dumisane Mabaso from Dube Village introduced me to Seipati, and two brothers, Twana and the late Matshiki Bohale who had already established a band named the Young Mexicans. These guys were very happy to meet me and asked me to join them right away. We truly had a good time, we taught one another as a band and developed a repertoire of songs and ended up being able to secure small performance opportunities.

1972 i decided to grow, yes indeed, i looked around and landed my self in a semi professional Mbhaqanga band, It was where i learned the MBHAQANGA guitar style but because i wanted to play soul and other popular music of that era.

1973 my late brother Michael Mathaba who played organ for a band known as the Mad dogs. He tipped me that they were looking for a guitarist and asked if i would be interested to join them. I joined them and i became an asset to the band but in 1974 due to limited scope for growth i decided to move on also.

1975 i decided not to belong to any band but freelance only, during the same year i had to quit school at standard five because of the department of bantu education's decision to introduce Afrikaans as medium of instruction. This time i had to look for a real job which, i did and i worked for six months i discovered that i have no future and i had to dump the company after December holidays.

1976 gave me ample time to practice the guitar harmonica and music in general then after the school kids June uprising against Afrikaans, i met George Moloi of the Blacks Hawks who asked me to join them. This was the beginning of a professional music career which i started earning money from my talent travelling and meeting lots of interesting people.

1977 i became resident band member at the Pelican night club for 6 months thereafter, i met Mac Mathunjwa who use to play organ for the Afro Peddlers which also former Pelican resident band before me. Mac invited me join in reforming the Afro Peddlers involving Madoda Mathunjwa on drums and Bakithi Khumalo on bass guitar. Our first gig was at Chez Jay night club, followed Club New York City and became the late Mpharanyane's backing band until 1978 replacing The Cannibals now Stimela.

1979 Koloi Lebona asked me to put together musicians to back Babsy Mlangeni as he had lots of dates. It is where i really enjoyed to be a musician and i became a band leader for the fist time. We travelled almost the entire South Africa and neighboring states. Basby Mlangeni had a number of artist who where opening for him, one of the artist sang Dolly Parton's song it's Too Late"wich required a steel guitar, I volunteered to produce that sound by asking Koloi (Lebona Babsy Mlangeni's manager)to by me a hawaiian steel guitar and a book on how to play it wich he did it took me less that a month to learn how to produce the required line. The steel guitar i used on the Malopoets album, Lucky Dube,The Late Jabu Khanyile and the Band Ozila.

1993 Ray Phiri decided to pursue a Solo music career resulting a ten years music relationship where together had tackled music event dates that included the WOMAD festival amongst other dates.

1994 I became a backing band member for the Shell Road To Fame in the same year, i enrolled with Damelin for a certificate in business studies and followed with a higher diploma in business studies.

Achievements: •100% holding Voice 2 Voice Music retail store with over 9 years history and two branches• In 2003 i won the phase one(National Business Initiative) award for the most promising business idea which came with a Mckinsy & Associates course, mentor and class business training supervised by CEO, marketing director, attorney, financial director from South Africa's leading companies. •Earned two gold discs awards for producing two of Jonas Gwangwa’s albums •Wrote and Produced a number one smash hit Life saver I’m Suffering, Later formed a band named Ozila •Wrote music for the national sorghum breweries’ first advertisement. •Took part in music scoring of the award winning movie MAPANTSULA •Had traveled within South Africa, The African Continent and Overseas. •Served as opera and music advisory panel member of the National Arts Council. • Currently serves as non executive director of the Johannesburg Youth Orchestra.