When Mbuso Khoza talks about music, it is never just about melody. It is about memory, healing, and carrying the voices of those who came before us into the present. Later this month, the celebrated musician and storyteller will host the Amahubo Symphony at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg. The concert on 28 September will not only showcase traditional lullabies, family songs, and prayers but also reimagine them for an orchestra led by composer Siyanda Zulu.
From childhood ceremonies to the big stage
Khoza’s musical journey began at community ceremonies in KwaZulu-Natal. As a child, he absorbed the sounds of Amabutho warriors singing, young women performing at uMemulo, and the soothing lullabies sung by elders. Raised in a family rooted in both the Salvation Army and the Nazareth Baptist Church, he grew up balancing hymns like How Great Thou Art with the chants of Shembe worship. These early encounters with music shaped a deep respect for rhythm and tradition.
Although he once dreamed of becoming a magistrate, music pulled him in another direction. At 22, Khoza moved to Johannesburg, where the influence of gospel legend Vuyo Mokoena and jazz pianist Themba Mkhize sharpened his voice and vision. From the beginning, his Zulu heritage was never separate from his craft. It shaped not only the sound but also the philosophy behind his compositions.
A composer of history and television
Khoza’s respect for heritage has led to some of his most significant work on television. His soundtrack for Umkhokha: The Curse had to honour the sacred traditions of the Shembe church without directly borrowing its songs. Extensive research allowed him to create music that felt both authentic and familiar. His work on Shaka iLembe carried a personal connection too, as his own ancestors once served under King Shaka. The resulting score captured themes of hope, destiny, and resilience.
This ability to bridge past and present also defined his early career in film, starting with Leon Schuster’s Mama Jack. Over time, he became a full-time composer with international credits. Khoza describes scoring as “allowing yourself to become a trumpet of the universe” and insists that truth must guide every melody.
Preserving lullabies for future generations
At the heart of Khoza’s work is the belief that storytelling and song are inseparable. He often recalls how grandmothers would weave lullabies into bedtime tales, turning children’s songs into lessons about resilience, politics, and survival. He warns that without preservation, these traditions risk being dismissed as unworthy or misunderstood as something dark.
The Amahubo Symphony aims to change that narrative. Just as European orchestras safeguard the works of Mozart and Bach, Khoza’s project will safeguard Zulu lullabies and family hymns. The event will include traditional food and discussions about history, health, and spirituality, offering a holistic cultural experience.
Struggles, survival, and mental health
Khoza’s career has not been without hardship. At one stage, he sank into depression under the weight of debt exceeding R300,000 and the uncertainty of freelance work. He openly admits that thoughts of suicide crossed his mind until a phone call with his daughter gave him a reason to hold on. That moment reshaped his perspective and strengthened his resolve to speak about mental health.
Today, he uses his platform to highlight the struggles many artists face. After the Amahubo Symphony, he will launch the Umsuthu Mental Space initiative to foster conversations about anxiety and depression. He is also establishing an arts centre in Johannesburg that will offer training in philosophy, isiZulu, acting, and music theory. His hope is to leave a legacy built on truth, kindness, and service.
Looking ahead
Now 47, Khoza describes himself as younger than ever. His focus is not on the past or the distant future but on living fully in the present moment. For him, music is not simply performance. It is a vehicle of healing, a safeguard of identity, and a call to community.
With the Amahubo Symphony, Mbuso Khoza is offering South Africans more than a concert. He is offering a space to reconnect with heritage, to heal through song, and to find hope in collective memory.
Source: IOL
Featured Image: CNN
