By Phiwa Sikhondze
MTN Bushfire has announced the release of the 2024 CollaboNation song, “Mother,” a powerful collaboration between Eswatini’s Bholoja Ngubane and Mozambique’s Stewart Sukuma.
The song, which addresses the critical issue of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), is now available for streaming and downloading on all digital music platforms.
“Mother” is a poignant and stirring piece, combining social commentary with a message of hope. Inspired by the urgent need to combat GBV, the song is both an honest reflection and a call to action. The collaboration emerged from MTN Bushfire’s annual CollaboNation project, which is supported by MTN Eswatini and produced by Bushfire Records.
CollaboNation is an annual MTN Bushfire arts development project supported by MTN Eswatini and produced by Bushfire Records.
The selection process for CollaboNation saw 182 applications from over 15 African countries, including distant nations like Cape Verde and Ethiopia. From this pool, the legendary Stewart Sukuma and Eswatini’s celebrated Bholoja Ngubane were chosen.
The artists met for the first time in a recording studio in Maputo, Mozambique, where they created “Mother.” They later performed the song at the MTN Bushfire international festival of music and the arts in May.
MTN Bushfire’s Director, Jiggs Thorne, highlighted the project’s mission: “CollaboNation connects and unites the continent through unique cross-border and cross-genre music collaborations. It weaves together Africa’s rich and diverse musical genres to create a game-changing creative narrative and inspire social cohesion in an increasingly divided world,” he said.
Thorne emphasized that the initiative aims to extend the reach of African artists, helping them to develop their brands and access new markets, media, promoters, and industry professionals across different countries.
Established in 2022 with funding from the Sound Connects Fund, implemented by the Music In Africa Foundation, CollaboNation seeks to grow Africa’s creative economy. The Sound Connects Fund is a European Union-supported initiative to bolster the arts in Africa, the Pacific, and the Caribbean.
EU Ambassador to Eswatini, Dessislava Choumelova, expressed pride in the CollaboNation project’s achievements, stating, “In Eswatini, we enjoy a strong and long-running partnership with MTN Bushfire, peaking each year in our EU Bushfire Schools Festival. GBV is one of the gravest violations of human rights, and art can play a significant role in social transformation. This song speaks directly to our hearts and educates our minds. I am confident that it will mobilize EmaSwati and the region in the fight against Gender-Based Violence.”
MTN Bushfire’s commitment to social change is reflected in its partnerships with development organizations, including the United Nations in Eswatini. Laila Nazarali, Senior Human Rights Adviser to the United Nations in Eswatini, remarked, “We hope ‘Mother’ will amplify the call to action on GBV, which is a scourge in the Southern African region, including Eswatini, where about half of all women report having experienced some form of sexual violence in their lifetime. Creative artists have a responsibility to use their voices to build coalitions, generate resources, and promote human rights.”
Stewart Sukuma echoed this sentiment, highlighting the social responsibilities of artists. “The way men treat women in Mozambique is still very violent. This song reminds people that our mothers and sisters are part of us. Without them, we wouldn’t exist,” he said.
For Bholoja, the project was a dream come true. “CollaboNation has fulfilled my desire to collaborate with a Mozambican artist. Together, Stewart and I are advocating for women and against Gender-Based Violence. Unity is power, and through CollaboNation, MTN Bushfire has united African musicians to speak one language.”
“Mother” has been released globally by Bushfire Records in partnership with Paradise Worldwide, an independent global distribution company. Paradise Worldwide’s extensive network will help bring these powerful African sounds to a global audience.
To follow the journey of CollaboNation, including in-studio videos, artist reels, and other releases, follow “CollaboNation” on Facebook, Instagram, and @CollaboNation_ on X. Subscribe to the CollaboNation YouTube channel and visit the CollaboNation page on the MTN Bushfire website: www.bush-fire.com/collabonation.
Bholoja, born Mbongiseni Ngubane in the Kingdom of Eswatini, is considered one of the most relevant figures on the contemporary African music scene. With an infectious sense of humor and irrepressible optimism, Bholoja’s voice has become a mouthpiece for the underprivileged. Singing in Siswati and English, his signature Swazi Soul style blends Alternative Soul, Gospel, Jazz, Blues, and traditional African rhythms.
A genuine innovator, Bholoja is a symbol of Eswatini’s native rhythms, melodies and culture. His powerful lyrics, combined with his striking, multi-colored voice, has won him international acclaim. Among many awards and accolades, for three consecutive years Bholoja won the Best-Selling Swazi Artist award and was ranked on the Top Ten at Radio France International (RFI).
Irreverent, versatile and multi-talented, Stewart Sukuma is one of Mozambique’s foremost musicians, as well as being a published poet, TV presenter, humanitarian, social activist, and environmental advocate. He combines traditional and contemporary Mozambican music with revolutionary instrumentation, creating an energetic, danceable and infectious sound, mixed with sweet yet powerful melodies that carry a message of hope and renewal.
He has recorded and shared the stage with some of the biggest names in international music and received a host of awards over his 40-year career, being decorated with the Medal of Arts and Letters by the President of Mozambique, the Official Degree of the Order of Merit of Infante D. Henrique by the President of Portugal and the Medal of the Legião Paranaense do Expedicionário by Brazil in recognition of his contribution to the dissemination of cultural values in the world. The Municipality of his hometown, Quelimane, granted him the title of Honorary Citizen in 2022.