Nciza has strong wings to fly solo

WHEN she established a solo career many music lovers were not only worried that it could be the end of an exciting chapter for Mafikizolo, but that she was also embarking on a suicide mission.

Nhlanhla Nciza has not only bounced back from her recent grief of losing her only child, she has proved to have staying power. It takes guts to leave a band you are too familiar with, with band members who are like family because you grew up together.

The audience has come to expect your sounds and now you have to reinvent yourself and hope to retain rather than repel your die-hard fans, who come with preconceived misconceptions as well as expectations.

Nodding vigorously in agreement, Nciza says the most difficult thing she has ever done was to get on that stage alone.

"It took all my strength not to run and it was a miracle that I even produced a note," she says.

"But after a few performances I was used to the fact that I am flying solo. So I could either make or break myself.

"However, thanks to encouragement from family, friends and fans, I have gained the confidence and have begun to enjoy myself on the stage."

At the moment her star is shining brighter with her newly dropped DVD, Nhlanhla Nciza Live. Everybody who has seen it is raving about it. So it is not surprising that its greatest fan is Nciza herself.

"After two CDs, Inguquko and Incinga Zam, in the marketplace, I felt ready for a DVD. TS Records put its all into the recording of the live DVD. We had a total of nine dancers and we were performing with a nine-piece band.

"We did not pull back on the quality of the DVD. It was shot on seven HD cameras to deliver quality from the various angles of the intimate Market Theatre.

"I could see the people I was performing for, thanks to the laser and normal lights.

"We have achieved our objective because it is intimate and the audience was truly part and parcel of that process," she says.

The tall, willowy singer brought glamour into the themed DVD.

"Each song had a theme according to which we dressed to..."

Nciza changed outfits several times, but retained the vintage style she has become known for - her trademark Mafikizolo's 50s wear.

After four weeks of hard rehearsals in the studio, Nciza featured some of the popular and luminary artists like Abigail Kubheka, who is a glamour queen herself.

"We did her classic hit Sebakanyana, Ntando Bangane's Umntonjani lo, which was penned by Nciza, Zahara the latest addition to the TS Record stable, as well as the late Busi Mhlongo's Nting Nting.

"The support I have been getting from the people who have been buying my CDs means a lot.

" I suppose it was also the deciding factor in my striking it solo, just to show them how far I have come and share this new experience with them.

"There is no doubt that the DVD will bring those who never manage to come to our shows a front row seat and an insight into what we really do out there," she says.

Nciza swore that Mafikizolo would release an new album next August.