• Tweet

OVERJOYED: The first female member of fusion masters Stimela, bass player Portia Sibiya. PHOTO: MABUTI KALI

 That feeling is what keeps me alive on stage and as a musician 

A sign of this is in the recruitment or blooding of the highly creative Portia Sibiya, who has been lucky to join a band that was formed three years before she was born.

The band was formed in 1982. The 27- year-old bass guitarist was spotted by the band's lead vocalist and legend Ray Phiri during a music concert in 2010.

Phiri, who was recently honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the South African Music Awards, said Stimela was "an institute which keeps its legacy alive by empowering young people", and moulds the African child.

Making a comparison with Mozart, Phiri said: "It is important to celebrate our music and musicians, especially young ones."

Sibiya's first appearance with Stimela was during the launch of A Life Time at the Market Theatre in 2010.

"One day I was performing at Birchwood Hotel in Kempton Park and Ray Phiri was there," she said. "I do not know how he got my number, but two weeks later I received a call from him. He said he had an offer I could not refuse, and I laughed before I could ask him to identify himself. When he said he was Ray Phiri I screamed."

Sibiya has been playing bass since 2004 and has toured with the Basadi Women's Band internationally and has performed with the likes of Tshepo Tshola. She recently started her own band, called Colours of Africa, and also does corporate gigs.

"The reason I started my own band is because I want to interact with the audience more. That feeling is what keeps me alive on stage and as a musician."

Comments

• Sign in or sign up to comment

Tue May 21 22:04:27 SAST 2013 ::

May 15, 2012

Quicky

All the best Sotobe!
Report Abuse

May 15, 2012

RobinH

She is a very nice bass-player. Cool.
Report Abuse

May 15, 2012

SKIZOBANTWANA

Wow.. i love you Portia already, you look like a real ROCK-STAR
Report Abuse

May 15, 2012

RobinH

A very pleasant voice too.
Report Abuse

May 15, 2012

DrinksOnMe

ngwana o mos o hot o batlo mo ja...serious lenna ne nka mo fa di drugs ka mo kenya leduzu
Report Abuse

May 16, 2012

Rabotlhale

She reminds me of the days at FUBA...Wellldone babygal.....
Report Abuse

May 16, 2012

molefelives

@Rabotlhale
You remind me of one of the best places where music was taught
In 1985 was still residing in Mamelodi when was learning piano there
Inspired by Splash, Chicco and others was working hard to emulate them
But thugs cut off my inspiration one Saturday morning in the train
I was stapped and mugged, R15.00 which was a lot then
I think I could be in the list of Kwito superstars if it was not for the incident
I now put faith and trust in my two boys and the church choir to shine my light
Report Abuse

May 16, 2012

Cappuccino

wow u hot as well unamathanga amahle gal
Report Abuse

Read all 8 comments