We are delighted to have Qadasi and Maqhinga join us for an intimate evening of South African / Maskhandi sounds!!
Hailing from Empangeni in the heart of Zululand, David “Qadasi” Jenkins and Maqhinga Radebe are a SAMA Award winning duo on a quest to revive the powerful sounds of traditional Maskandi music.
Both professional musicians in their own right, the duo have taken their fusion of traditional Zulu and western folk music to audiences in the UK, Europe, Asia and throughout South Africa.
David Jenkins, also known as Qadasi, is an accomplished Maskandi guitarist, concertina, banjo player and vocalist who developed a deep passion for Zulu culture and music at a young age while travelling through Zululand with his late father who was a journalist.
After matriculating in 2010, Qadasi released his first studio album under record label, Sande Entertainment headed by Sibongiseni Shabalala of five-time Grammy Award winning group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo. His second album, released in 2014, was nominated for a SAMA (South African Music Award) and SATMA (South African Traditional Music Award). In 2015, Qadasi was honoured to receive a KwaZulu Natal Young Achievers Award for ‘social cohesion through Maskandi music.’
Maqhinga Radebe’s career launched in the mid 90’s after being given the opportunity to tour the USA with Ladysmith Black Mambazo as part of the stage play, Nomathemba.
On his return to South Africa, Maqhinga formed the group, Shabalala Rhythm, alongside Sibongiseni and Thamsanqa Shabalala. Thanks to the subsequent popularity of the group, Maqhinga’s talent was brought to the spotlight, making him a prominent and highly respected artist in the Maskandi industry.
With five solo albums under his name, Maqhinga has received numerous awards for his amazing musical skills, which include SAMA and SATMA Award nominations.
Well travelled, he has performed to audiences around the world and has shared stages with a number of highly acclaimed artists such as Hugh Masekela, Oliver Mtukudzi and Soul Brothers, to name a few.
