Patricia Majalisa
Bongani Ndlovu, Showbiz Correspondent
Disco queen Patricia Majalisa is celebrating 30 years in the music industry with the release of an album containing tracks that reflect her musical career.
The artiste who rose to fame after the launch of her solo career in 1986 was initially part of popular Afro pop group, Splash which is headed by Dan Tshanda.
Her first album ‘Cool Down’ was released in the same year.
Her second and third albums, ‘Witchdoctor’ and ‘Gimba’ earned her platinum discs with sales in excess of 50,000 copies each. Her fourth and fifth albums ‘Poverty’ and ‘Dzhengezhe’ saw her graduate to double platinum status, with sales in excess of 100,000 copies each.
The rest of her albums have all exceeded the 50,000 sales mark proving her talent and popularity.
Majalisa said: “The new album will be about what I’ve seen and achieved in life during this long career.”
Set for release in September, the forthcoming album which is yet to be named will be the artiste’s 18th production after Akulalwa which was released in 2012. Once released, Majalisa is expected to tour around South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana to promote the new production.
The Akulalwa hit-maker said although the 30-year journey had been rocky, she had learnt to be patient and take each day as it comes.
“The 30 years have been exciting and tough, but I’ve learnt a lot in that period. I had to wait for 10 years to be in the limelight, proving patience is virtue. My patience and respect to elders has paid off quite well,” said Majalisa.
Although Majalisa’s music has faded away from the South African mainstream scene, many in Zimbabwe are fond of her music, judging from the attendance when she performs here.
She said she appreciates Zimbabweans’ support, especially those living in South Africa as they have kept her music alive.
“There’re many Zimbabweans in South Africa and they’re the ones who buy our music. This has made South Africans appreciate our music and get us back to where we were years ago,” she said.