By Everson Luhanga
- Thabo Mwanza is a Malawian gardener in Cosmo City who records music blending amapiano with traditional Malawian sounds after work.
- Thabo Mwanza wants a laptop for his own studio, but says his gardening salary is too small to afford one.
Thabo Mwanza starts his day pushing a lawn mower through Johannesburg. He trims gardens and keeps yards clean to earn his keep.
But music stays with him after work. He goes to the studio, where he becomes Kajipalile, a name that means hustle for yourself.
Mwanza is from Mtasuka in Kaonekera, a poor, remote village in Mzimba District in northern Malawi. He now lives in Cosmo City, where rent, transport and food take most of his gardening salary.
In the studio, he mixes amapiano with traditional Malawian sounds. He says this helps him connect with people from both countries.
“Kaonekera has people who are talented in different ways,” he said. “I chose music to entertain my society.”
His first EP, *Kuninanga zina*, had three tracks but got no attention. He performed at birthday parties for free to build his name. Some days he got paid. Other days he came home with nothing.
In 2025, he released “Ine na awoliwane”, which means my wife and I. The song became widely popular and brought him a small income. It was not enough to cover his needs, but it gave him hope.
Mwanza wants to buy a laptop to build his own studio. He says his gardening salary cannot afford it.
“If someone can help me get one, it would make a big difference,” he said.
He is now working on a new song to encourage children in his village to stay in school.
He thanked his manager Orden Mwanza, his producer George Theu and his supporters.
He said young people must keep pushing while they still have time.
Pictured above: Thabo Mwanza, known as Kajipalile, works as a gardener in Johannesburg while building his amapiano music career.
Image source: Supplied
