Their motto is "born to sing, forced to work". And now the singing nursing sisters Iziqhaza have finally cracked it.
After a few false starts and missed opportunities Khanyisa Mbuthu and Mbongeni Mavuso are now signed to DJ Oskido and are on the brink of greatness, owing much to the success of their current thumping radio/club friendly single Vuka.
The song sums up their journey into the music industry, with the refrain "vukuzenzele" and "uzoyithola kanjani uhlel'ekhoneni" which loosely translate into do it yourself and take matters into your hands.
This is what these graduates of Madadeni Nursing Campus in Newcastle have been doing.
They discovered their mutual love for singing during the morning assembly session of the college where they sang. In 2010 when a call was made for aspirant groups to sing at Fan Parks, they jumped at the opportunity and were selected and their song Mvelinqangi earned them fans.
They organised their own shows in Newcastle when they realised how far they were from the hive of music industry. "We sold tickets for R50 and gave others on credit. We wanted to create a fanbase and exposure," reminisces Mbuthu.
They targeted television when they auditioned for SA's Got Talent in 2012 and reached the top six.
"We thought producers would knock on our doors and things (would) happen but nothing," says Mbuthu.
She says they even sent messages to Oskido, Black Coffee and Tira on Facebook hoping to be signed on, but to no success.
In 2013 when they moved to Durban to work they approached BAT Centre to host their shows which were well attended, but proved to be a nightmare as they couldn't control the crowds. The two say they had to be the promoters, marketers, security and performers and while on stage saw how people walked in without paying.
They then attended the Can Do talent show with Arthur Mafokate which they didn't win. In 2014 they entered X Factor talent show on SABC1 where Oskido was a judge.
"God was amazing, Oskido mentored us in the groups section of the competition," says Mbuthu.
The group came third. And for six months they couldn't capitalise on their new found fame due to contractual obligations.
Mbuthu was also fired from her job at Reach for a Dream. Oskido then took them along to his performances across the country.
Last year Universal Music offered them a contract and their dream is about to manifest.
While they prepare for a life in showbiz the two remain grounded to their homes and careers, except for one thing. "We're both single, please write that... I need a man in my life," Mbuthu laughs.
mofokengl@sowetan.co.za
Nursing sisters' dream comes alive
Their motto is "born to sing, forced to work". And now the singing nursing sisters Iziqhaza have finally cracked it.
After a few false starts and missed opportunities Khanyisa Mbuthu and Mbongeni Mavuso are now signed to DJ Oskido and are on the brink of greatness, owing much to the success of their current thumping radio/club friendly single Vuka.
The song sums up their journey into the music industry, with the refrain "vukuzenzele" and "uzoyithola kanjani uhlel'ekhoneni" which loosely translate into do it yourself and take matters into your hands.
This is what these graduates of Madadeni Nursing Campus in Newcastle have been doing.
They discovered their mutual love for singing during the morning assembly session of the college where they sang. In 2010 when a call was made for aspirant groups to sing at Fan Parks, they jumped at the opportunity and were selected and their song Mvelinqangi earned them fans.
They organised their own shows in Newcastle when they realised how far they were from the hive of music industry. "We sold tickets for R50 and gave others on credit. We wanted to create a fanbase and exposure," reminisces Mbuthu.
They targeted television when they auditioned for SA's Got Talent in 2012 and reached the top six.
"We thought producers would knock on our doors and things (would) happen but nothing," says Mbuthu.
She says they even sent messages to Oskido, Black Coffee and Tira on Facebook hoping to be signed on, but to no success.
In 2013 when they moved to Durban to work they approached BAT Centre to host their shows which were well attended, but proved to be a nightmare as they couldn't control the crowds. The two say they had to be the promoters, marketers, security and performers and while on stage saw how people walked in without paying.
They then attended the Can Do talent show with Arthur Mafokate which they didn't win. In 2014 they entered X Factor talent show on SABC1 where Oskido was a judge.
"God was amazing, Oskido mentored us in the groups section of the competition," says Mbuthu.
The group came third. And for six months they couldn't capitalise on their new found fame due to contractual obligations.
Mbuthu was also fired from her job at Reach for a Dream. Oskido then took them along to his performances across the country.
Last year Universal Music offered them a contract and their dream is about to manifest.
While they prepare for a life in showbiz the two remain grounded to their homes and careers, except for one thing. "We're both single, please write that... I need a man in my life," Mbuthu laughs.
mofokengl@sowetan.co.za
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