Peddie-born baritone Dumza Maswana’s ambition is to put the spotlight on the Eastern Cape.
Maswana hopes to give a platform to the province’s potential, through a storytelling slant, by recording his first live DVD in his home province tonight.
Maswana, who is widely feted for his baritone skills, will record the DVD at East London’s Guild Theatre, combining songs from his two albums Iphupho Lam (2009) and Molo (2016) and one or two new recordings.
“The message I’m trying to send out is that the Eastern Cape is just as able to produce a quality live DVD, instead of implying that the lights are only brighter in Johannesburg,” he said.
That Maswana also takes pride in one of the province’s home language – isiXhosa – is evident from his predominantly isiXhosa lyrics.
“I was very good in isiXhosa at school but I never really liked it,” he said.
“I only really started appreciating it after moving to Johannesburg [in 2006] and finding that in most instances, I had to compromise and speak Zulu.
“That’s when I decided to contribute towards preserving and promoting our language by writing and singing in isiXhosa.”
He is not fazed by the possibility of language barriers limiting his audience appeal, as he believes music is a universal language that does not necessarily revolve around lyrics.
Maswana grew up and completed matric in Peddie in 2003, before moving to Port Elizabeth.
It was in the Bay where the jazz influence manifested itself in the singer.
While Maswana has not decided on a name for the DVD as yet, he is adamant it should contain a “live in East London” or “live in the Eastern Cape” label – a longtime dream of his.
On whether he would consider returning to the Eastern Cape for good, he said: “I love the Eastern Cape, I spend so much time here that it even feels like I live here”.
He will record the DVD with a 10-member band made up of musicians from around the country.
The recording starts at 7pm and tickets are R200 to R350 at Computicket or at the door.