Staff Writer
SOUTH African soulful singer, ItuSings is penned in to perform at the Holimo Wine, Gin and Jazz Festival scheduled for 31 May to 2 June at the AfriSki resort in Butha-Buthe.
The singer whose grandparents left Lesotho over 50 years ago and settled in South Africa said it will be an emotional journey when he comes “home”.
He said revellers should expect honesty in music, passion and abundant love songs when he performs at the festival.
“My grandparents are from Lesotho, so I know a lot about my family history and Lesotho,” ItuSings said.
“However, due to family issues, I have not had a chance to come back home and this is my moment to be back home. I have a feeling this will be an emotional journey for me as my late grandfather left Lesotho over 50 years ago. This will be special.”
He said he plans to have an intimate session with the revellers.
“I plan to have a rather intimate session that will allow us to reflect on love, life and the beauty of being African. Also, the excitement of being at home, will add to my performance. I can’t wait to say “Lumelang” in Lesotho.”
ItuSings is the last of four children from Saulsville in Pretoria, South Africa. Growing up in Tsitoe Street in Pretoria, ItuSings regards himself a “special child who chose music over the basic standard academic route”.
He says he is grateful to his mother, Dikeleli who supported him through his musical journey.
Born Itumeleng Tshabane, the singer said he changed his name to ItuSings as a celebration of his self-expression.
“Life, hunger, pain, passion and my day to day unhappiness of not fitting in pushed me to take a leap of faith in music. This way, I could express my feelings beyond measure.
“One thing that makes me happy about music and singing is that I am able to tell stories affecting all of us. From love, pain, happiness and sadness.
“A few years ago, I had an office job. This pushed me deeper into unhappiness and depression. I needed to make a change. This change placed me on stage and the rest is history,” the singer said.
He said his music passion is driven by the emotions that he sees whenever he performs and the audience react to his music.
“There is a moment when I am on stage that I treasure and that is when an audience member looks at me in a way that has all sorts of emotions. That feeling is, to me, godly. It confirms and reassures me that I am on track and that my music is touching someone and it potentially is healing.
“I listen to a lot of artistes. Recently I have been listening to Jonathan Butler a lot and I am absolutely inspired by his story too.
“I enjoy many other artists who are honest in music such as John Legend, Langa Mavuso, Jack Garrat and the legend himself Gregory Porter,” he said.
ItuSings started his professional music career in 2014 when became a backing vocalist for Linda Kekana and RJ Benjamin.
“My biggest achievement thus far is going to Sydney, Australia and performing at a sold out concert. This was incredible in many ways. I also won a singing national competition in 2014 which make life easier in the music industry.
“However, by far, the release of my project Euphoria in 2018 was memorable. As an independent artiste, this was a milestone and a half.
“I have new music to share this coming winter and I hope people will love it as much as I do,” ItuSings said.
Asked about his thoughts on the state of Southern African music, the singer said he has seen the region progressing well mainly by the artistes’ willingness to explore.
“What I appreciate more is that we are willing to explore our own sound more now than ever before. The likes of Vusi Nova, PrayerSoul and myself make it a point to add a texture of African sound in our modern music.
“What is more incredible is that the international world is finally listening to us with our unique authenticity. This authenticity comes via hip hop, gospel, traditional music and Afro-pop, which means we are universally ready to be accepted just as amazing as we are,” ItuSings said.
Other artistes to perform at the festival include the Zagro Deejays, Dan Shaw and Eden Michelle and Kith and Kin among others.
The organisers said the Holimo Wine, Gin and Jazz Festival is pretty much any overworked adventurer’s dream weekend getaway.
“Afriski Mountain Resort and eighteen13 made sure that there’s something for everyone to stay entertained. We offer you a three-day experiential feast of music, entertainment, adventure, culinary exploits, connoisseur led premium wine and gin showcases.
This aspirational event facilitates an intimate environment within which festival goers can interact with a range of lifestyle activations that are currently trending within the context of music, food, health and fitness gatherings around the globe. Get ready to immerse yourself in adventure activities, culture, music, and food at 3222m above sea level,” the AfriSki website said.
