Celani Sikhakhane
Almost 30 years after being banned by the public broadcaster for their controversial songs, the Maskandi group Ingane Zoma is at it again.
In their new song titled “ePhoenix”, the all-female musical group from KwaZulu-Natal accuses the Zulu Royal family of failing to deal with the Phoenix massacre during the July unrest last year.
The song that was released three weeks ago says the Zulu Royal family could have done better to address the massacre in which 36 people were killed.
The massacre was the result of racial tension between the Indian and black communities from Bhambayi, Inanda, KwaMashu and Ntuzuma.
“Your passing of Mdlokombane (King Zwelithini) left king Misuzulu with a lot of trouble,” sing the Ingane Zoma trio.
“The Zulu Nation faced the Phoenix massacre where Zulus were killed by Indians but none of the Zulu Royal family came forward to address that crisis.”
Ingane Zoma’s politically inspired songs have long attracted wide discussion and chart success in their home country.
The group consists of five members including its three lead singers: Thandoluni Phungula, Bongekile Ngobese and Nikwani Ngobese.
In 1994 their music was banned from SABC because their songs were seen as an attack on the late King Zwelithini KaBhekuzulu after they blamed him for the Shell House Massacre.
The group is famous for being loyal to former president Jacob Zuma. In 2014 they had a song attacking EFF leader Julius Malema’s behaviour in parliament.
Royal spokesperson Prince Africa Zulu told Scrolla.Africa that they haven’t heard the song but they appreciate the message that is being directed at them.
“The king tried to address the situation in July on behalf of the royal family. Even now there are soldiers of the king who are busy with different projects to address the Phoenix massacre in order to unite the affected communities,” said Prince Afrika.
