Black Motion – Thonga Ft. Spice Drums, Philharmonic, Miss Q, Thabo Roy Mabogwane, Mpho Thobejane, Mbuso Fihamonique Twala and Qhawekazi Qotoyi

The word is linked with the Thonga, or Tsonga, people who live across parts of southern Africa, including South Africa and Mozambique. A title like this can point to a language, a heritage or a place a person calls home. Even if you are not from that community, you will understand the pride of naming something after where you come from. Nigerians do it all the time, with Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa and Ijaw names carried proudly into music.

I always enjoy records named after a people because they ask the listener to pay attention to culture. They do not hide behind a catchy phrase. They plant a flag. It also hints at the idea that African music is not one thing but a collection of many identities, each with its own story.

The credit list is large. Spice Drums, Philharmonic, Miss Q, Thabo Roy Mabogwane, Mpho Thobejane, Mbuso Fihamonique Twala and Qhawekazi Qotoyi all join the duo on Pula le Maatla. That number of contributors suggests a project with real depth behind the scenes.

It suits the moment when you hear a language or a name from home and feel suddenly connected to people you have never met.

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