Legendary maskandi musician Phuzekhemisi is fuming after Ukhozi FM rejected his latest song, “Ipolitiki”, which criticises white people.
In the song, Phuzekhemisi blames white people for the high unemployment rate among black South Africans.
Ukhozi FM Rejects Phuzekhemisi’s Song
The 61-year-old musician, whose real name is Zibokwakhe Mnyandu, said he was told to remove the controversial lyrics if he wanted airplay.
Despite Ukhozi FM’s decision, Phuzekhemisi refuses to back down.
“Ukhozi FM has rejected many of my songs, but this time I decided to rework the song as they recommended, and the edited version will be out. The work of a musician is not to sugar-coat what’s happening but to tell the story as it is. It doesn’t matter whether the song plays on the radio or not,” he told Daily Sun.
He has since reworked the song as requested by the radio station but has made it clear that the original version will still be available for his fans.
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This is not the first time Phuzekhemisi has faced rejection from the popular radio station. In the early 2000s, his song “Amakhansela”, which criticised local authorities, was also turned down. Yet, the veteran musician, who has been in the industry for over three decades, says he sings without fear or favour:
“Ukhozi FM has rejected many of my songs, but this time I decided to rework the song as they recommended.“
The Voice Of The Voiceless
Known for his fearless approach to social issues, Phuzekhemisi made a name for himself in 1991 with his hit song “Imbizo”, which took aim at traditional leaders who forced their subjects to pay for land. His career has been marked by a commitment to speaking out against what he sees as injustices, and he is unapologetic about it. “It doesn’t matter whether the song plays on the radio or not,” he added.
The SABC confirmed that “Ipolitiki” was not play-listed on Ukhozi FM due to the station’s music policy.
Phuzekhemisi remains undeterred:
“I won’t stop criticising what I believe is wrong.“