Mduduzi Kheswa

Mduduzi Kheswa was born in Umlazi Township in South Africa. His

earliest musical memory is of traditional dancing and playing guitar.

The guitar was homemade: a 5 liter tin, wood and fish gut or tyre

tube.

At the age of 14, Mduduzi started appearing with local groups and

musicians like Bongi Shabane, The Goings, Bongani Sokhela,

Mandla Zikalala and Stax, to mention a few, at events in eThekwini

and the surrounding areas. He was exposed to many different kinds

of music—gospel, pop, traditional and jazz fusion. “This period

was crucial in the formation of my musical outlook”, he notes with

great joy.

In 1985 Mduduzi headed for Gauteng to join a pop outfit, Casino.

There he met the great musicians of the time. He took part in the

“The Unfinished Story Tour” of South Africa, sharing the stage with

the worldʼs renowned like Stimela, Ladysmith Black Mambazo,

Lucky Dube and many others. This was the time of nightclubs,

festivals, road shows and political unrest in most townships and

rural areas. He then left Gauteng to concentrate on perfecting his

keyboard playing technique and to further his education in

eThekwini in 1987.

While on a short encounter with Sakhile - a jazz fusion outfit of the

“Mantombi” fame - Mduduzi was introduced to music reading and

writing, and jazz music by Khaya Mahlangu, one of the founder

members of the band. He recalls of this experience: “Iʼm so grateful

to God for making that awesome coincidence occur in this lifetime.”

In 1990 he joined Sarafina and toured Canada and America. The

following year Mduduzi then teamed up with Busi Mhlongo and

Twasa, and in 1993 the band cut a CD named “Ababhemu” which

saw them travelling to the Netherlands, UK, Germany and Switzerland.

Getting back to Gauteng in 1995 opened even more opportunities

for him. For the following ten years Mduduzi performed and

recorded with prominent names and productions in the

entertainment industry. These include The Shell Road to Fame, Vusi

Khumalo, Jabu Khanyile and Bayete, The Daughter of Nebo,

Themba Mkhize, Geoff Mapaya, Caiphus Semenya, Letta Mbulu,

Kgomotso Moshugi, Queen Londiwe 1, Just Chilling, and many

more.

Driven by the desire to make a positive contribution to society and

pursuit of excellence, in May 2013, 168 Prosperity Drive was

founded. “The establishment of 168 Prosperity Drive was an

important step towards realizing my goals.” he said. “This was to

be the first of many important changes for me as artist, writer and

producer in many years.” He said it will primarily handle everyday

activities from writing, music production to publishing and

outreach programs and much more. Mduduzi Kheswa has recently

released his Debut Album– Asking Forgiveness (2018) - under this

name.

Throughout his career Mduduzi has learned to roll with the

punches and bounce back time and again. His remark: “Music is a

calling, and my profession encourages me to persevere and to

follow on the path of the Wise Ones of our Universe with...