When Durban songbird Pinkie Mtshali; a Durban University of Technology graduate, started singing at church in the early 1980s, little did she know that her love for music would later propel her to great heights.
Mtshali, 43, who obtained her Performers Diploma for Opera at the former Technikon Natal (now DUT) in 1991, grew up around music. Both her parents sang Zulu folk music.
With a long and exciting history in the performing arts, Mtshali has been in the industry for 24 years. She started her career as an opera singer before working for The Playhouse Company. She joined Capab Opera in 1992 before going solo as a freelancer in 1996.
Mtshali owns Durban Divas; a performers company formed in the year 2000 which has performed all over the world. Durban Divas is a ladies cabaret trio which showcases a multi-cultural crossover show with a mix repertoire including songs from Local and International singers from Musicals, commercial numbers, Afro-Jazz ballads, Gospel, Traditional, Disco, Pop – Rock.
Mtshali is also a music director for Emmanuel Cathedral Parish Catholic Church and also does artist management.
“Apart from my parents planting the music seed, I also draw inspiration from other artists. I am inspired by Sibongile Khumalo, Miriam Makeba, Abigail Kubeka, Mara Louw, the late Busi Mhlongo, Lira, Ringo Madlingozi, the list is endless”, she said.
With all that experience, Mtshali has launched her debut CD titled Now is the Time. The launch was held on Friday last week (26 October 2012) at The Jazzy Rainbow, Morningside, Durban.
Mtshali wrote and arranged all the songs in the album. It has six songs with mixed genres; namely Pop, Jazz, African and Blues. The music in her album tells of her life experience in the showbiz industry, daily happenings across the world with the main focus being Africa.
“I’m planning to promote my music around Durban and surrounding areas from April 2014 and Film a live DVD recording to have my music adapted into a theatre production like the Lion King and some to be sold to Film production for a movie. I also want to produce more albums and promote South African music all over the world”, she added.
Mtshali’s CD is being sold privately. If you are interested, call Mtshali directly on 072 116 0943.
–Nomvula Sikakane
