With a music career spanning more than four decades and a hand in shaping some of SA’s most iconic gospel voices, legendary producer and songwriter Sizwe Zako has returned to his roots in New Brighton — not to retire, but to inspire.
At 66, the award-winning gospel pioneer behind hits such as Umuzi Wam and Bhayi Lam has traded the glitz of Gauteng’s studios for a small but vibrant music academy in the heart of his hometown, where he is nurturing a new generation of musicians.
Zako, best known for his work with household names such as Dr Rebecca Malope, Sipho “The Big Fish” Makhabane, and the late Vuyo Mokoena, is also the founder of the Jen Jen Cati Zako Arts & Music Academy, a nonprofit named in honour of his late sister and co-founder, Jen Jen.
His career as a music producer and song writer over the past 36 years has had a huge influence on the growth of music in SA.
On his return to his hometown about eight years ago, musicians from the Bay and the greater Eastern Cape begged to work with him.
His academy, which was started from his home in New Brighton, now operates from Embizweni Square, where he has helped choirs from different church denominations to solo artists record their music.
“Now that we are at Embizweni Square, it is nice and spacious for recording. But deep down I always wanted to give back to the youth,” he said.
“Things were not as bad during my generation.
“There are too many drugs easily available, prisons are overflowing, and the youth is accordingly in danger. So, I thought of ways I could help,” Zako said.
Apart from recording artists, the academy also focused on teaching the youth how to play the piano.
Voluntary donations are accepted.
The classes started with 36 students, but only six completed their exams.
He attributed this to students being impatient when it came to learning the theory of music.
Zako said he not only wanted the youth to be able to play music, but to be recognised as professional pianists as a way to make a living, such as teaching music.
“We spoke to Nelson Mandela University and they gave us a lecturer to teach our youth the piano.
“Our students went on to write their first exam at the university.”
He said with the necessary support, he hoped to expand to other instruments such as the violin.
“We want this programme to grow. The youth don’t have the money, and we cannot turn them away when they have a love for music.”
Zako looked back on his long and successful music career, recalling how he first fell in love with music by listening to music blasting through a neighbour’s speaker.
He said these were mostly jazz songs by late American jazz artist Jimmy Smith.
Just over the fence from his home, he would often sing along with the local church choir — unaware that these moments were laying the foundation for a legendary gospel career that would see him writing some of Southern Africa’s most iconic gospel songs for the biggest names in the industry.
On August 18, Zako will be conferred with an honorary doctorate by All Nation's University at Nelson Mandela University's conference centre in Summerstrand.
One of his fondest memories was being invited by former president Nelson Mandela to a dinner with an ambassador from Finland after he had performed at the funeral of Chris Hani.
“My wish is that we can create future superstars — perhaps the next Vusi Nova — and that they won’t feel like they need to leave their hometown to be a success,” Zako said.
The Herald
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