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FEMALE maskandi musicians have contributed a lot to the fast-growing genre and deserve to be applauded for their efforts.
Despite the setbacks that female musicians have suffered in past years, they have risen to the occasion. Today they are walking tall because they have conquered this genre.
It has taken groups such as Izingane Zoma, Ubuhle Bezintombi, Imithente, Zondeni, Umlamu Wam, Izintombi Zikamacinjana, Buselaphi, Boneni and Amatshitshi Amhlophe 40 years to make inroads into this male-dominated genre.
It has been a tough journey for women fighting for their position in a male-dominated field. The music industry is a hard one and many female groups did not survive the heat.
But Izingane Zoma and Imithente have beaten the odds. Today, both groups command respect in the genre.
Dumsile Manana, a member of Imithente, agrees that women have to work harder.
"If you come to this industry for money, you won't survive. You need to have passion so you can stand the challenges," she says.
"The music industry is dominated by many challenges, including piracy, but you need to have a love for it.
"All these years we have risen above all the industry challenges as women."
Buselaphi Gxowa says maskandi musicians are struggling because of their lack of education. "We don't understand the contracts we sign with companies," she admits.
Despite women having proved themselves over many years, doubts persist regarding the quality or quantity of women's groups.
It has been proved on many occasions that women and male artists enjoy equal sales volumes.
But despite this, many recording companies do not invest much in female maskandi groups. In fact, the industry as a whole does not give them the recognition they deserve.
Take the South African Music Awards that were created to celebrate those who succeed in their genre, which has not done justice towards women in maskandi.
In 2009 history was made when Imithente became the first female group to win the best maskandi category.
It took 14 years before women could reign in this genre.
Since the 1950s, when John Bhengu who was known as Phuzushukela released his first album, maskandi was dominated by men. They enjoyed exclusive popularity until the early 1990s, when women decided that enough was enough.
In 1991 Mkhombeni Majola formed Ubuhle Bezintombi, a band that really opened the way for many female artists.
Imithente and Izingane Zoma have represented women well. The two groups have also spurred competition in all spheres - from composing to performances and sales.
The former trio (Thandoluni Phungula, Tholakele and the late Bongekile Ngobese) burst on to the scene with their first album Izinkomo in 1993. The Ngobese sisters left, and Phungula and Xoli Buthelezi remain.
Imithente, made up of Buselaphi Gxowa, Dumsile Manana and the late Nokwazi Ntuli, is the second-best selling maskandi group. Though they were victims of an unscrupulous producer , Imithente has a reputable profile. The group released its debut album Umbulali in 1995.
Zondeni Chonco, a singer and the only female maskandi producer, says women in this genre struggle to convince listeners that they are as good as male musicians.
Chonco says: "I believe I can perform and my music can sell only if my company gives me the support I need.
"I managed to sell music on my own. Imagine if we could have a DVD, radio interviews and television airtime. I could succeed."
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