Women play a big role is the music industry and that is what songstress Buhlebendalo Mda wants to highlight in her all-women production Jam Session With Buhlebendalo – Celebrating Women In Music to close off Women’s Month.
This space is curated as a response to a spiritual need for artists to convene and feed off each other’s creative energy, especially after what the Covid pandemic has done to many, she says.
The sessions were first launched in February in Soweto before migrating to Braamfontein, then Port Elizabeth and is now set to be staged in Pretoria as demand increases.
“These spaces were also birthed from the sad reality of women being shut down so many times, even though we are the brains behind so many operations. This is our way of us owning spaces and creating something extraordinary, because for the longest time we have been pushed to the sidelines. Our spirits need this as artists and I am honoured to have created such a production,” she said.
The sessions have over the years been graced by phenomenal singers such as Zoe Modiga, Ayanda Giya, Aus Tebza and Simphiwe Dana.
This year, she will be supported by the likes of Cape Town’s finest, Zimbini Makwetu, Nomakrestu Xakathungaga, Khonaye and Soweto’s songbird Theo Songstress.
“This is me paying tribute to these ladies, specifically because I have different stories to tell with each one of them. They have played such vital roles in my music career and while we will be giving people a great show, I want to honour them,” she said.
Theo Songstress was first introduced to us when she temporarily filled in for Mda with The Soil in 2016 when Mda went through her initiation school. The 26-year-old’s career has since grown expanded and she has backed various artists such as Simphiwe Dana and will soon be releasing her debut EP. She has also graduated with a degree in psychology.
“We are creating a chain of sisterhood where we uplift each other in our careers. This is more than just singing but creating opportunities for artists,” said Mda.
“Often in the industry people are grouped as per the number of years they have or the success they have acquired. These sessions want to do away with these groupings but create a safe space for all artists. In this way we give hope to the upcoming generation that they too are able to share a stage with anyone they want to and do more with one’s career. As long as they set their minds to it.”
Mda says the reality of gender disparity annoys her.
“I am annoyed actually because no matter how much women would want to prove themselves, they are still ranked the lowest. In the arts, in governance, everywhere. It’s such a vile inheritance of having to continuously prove ourselves.
“But we are determined to change this ugly truth. We want to become blatant with creating such spaces where women can freely exist without feeling shame or experiencing difficulty. So that society can value women and their gifts,” she said.
The dream is to take these sessions to the rest of the continent and Mda wants to work with artists such as Oumou Sangaré.
“I want to penetrate the continent with these sessions. I want women across the continent to come together through these spaces and create an untameable force that is too loud to ignore,” she said.
Jam Session With Buhlebendalo will take place at the South African State Theatre (SAST) on August 28 2022
malibaa@sowetan.co.za
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