SA traditional instrumentalist Madosini awarded honorary doctorate

Madosini – who is known for playing the uhadi and umrhubhe musical bows, and the isitolotolo – could have received her PhD in Makhanda in April, but the ceremony was postponed and held virtually due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

“My mind and soul have been renewed,” the 77-year-old Madosini told local media. “That is how happy I am to hear that I am a doctor in music. I never went to school but here I am, speaking and educating through music. This is a true testament that music is a universal language.

“When I die, I want to leave a sustainable legacy through the music. I pray that it will live on much longer than me. Traditional and indigenous music speaks to priding oneself in heritage and culture. It is my hope that every woman, man and child will embrace the music.”

Rhodes University spokesperson Velisile Bukula said Madosini was a worthy honorary doctorate recipient due to of her “sustained and exceptional contribution in the Xhosa culture, through the preservation and popularising of the isiXhosa musical bows uhadi and umrhubhe."

“It is no exaggeration to suggest that she has single-handedly kept alive the South African heritage of traditional music through her performances," Bukula said. “She has also taught them [the instruments] in person to young musicians and has travelled extensively to share her world-class talent with international audiences, many of whom might never have any association with Xhosa people beyond Nelson Mandela.

"Her commercial recordings are a brilliant mix of straight ceremonial pieces with little or no accompaniment, side by side with contemporary commercial musical elements. The Rhodes University community warmly congratulates isikhukukazi [the great one/the legend] on this notable achievement.” 

Madosini was born in 1943 and is regarded as a national treasure in her field. In 1998, she released a solo album titled Power to the Women. She has collaborated with various artists such as Patrick Duff (UK) and Gilberto Gil (Brazil) as well as local artists Dizu Plaatjies, Mzwandile Qotoyi, Thandiswa Mazwai, Ringo Madlingozi and Derek Gripper, among others.

Her collaboration with Hilton Schilder, Jonny Blundell, Lulu Plaitjies and Pedro Espi-Sanchis resulted in the AmaThongo jazz album. Madosini and Espi-Sanchis have also performed at many music festivals and storytelling and poetry events around the world, notably the Medellin International Poetry Festival in Colombia. Her music has been used in documentaries and feature films, and by popular groups around the world.