MUSIC legend and True Love hit maker, Busi Ncube has said being 60 means a lot to her. She thanks God and her ancestors whom she believes have kept her this far and blessed her with a peace of mind.
Ncube expressed the sentiments ahead of her 60th birthday commemorations to be held on June 17.
Born Sibusisiwe Ncube at Bulawayo's Mpilo Hospital on June 15 1963, Busi is a twin to Siphathisiwe Ncube. Growing up, her musical influence came from her father who was a part-time musician and played double bass. She listened to music from South Africa, Congo and Cuba that was popular at the time.
She listened to the likes of Dorothy Masuka who is her all-time favourite musician and also comes from Bulawayo, Miriam Makeba and Dolly Ratebe.
Busi got her first experience as a singer in church, singing gospel music with her sisters, which still has a huge influence on her singing as well as South African popular music, traditional mbira music from Zimbabwe, jazz, rock and funk.
As she got older, she started to perform with local groups in the clubs in Bulawayo. She then got invited by her sister — who was also a singer, to join the Pied Pipers in Harare.
At the age of 19, she joined Ilanga and they recorded three albums together and Zimbabweans know how popular and successful that group was.
She got a huge hit with the song True love”, which made her the first female with a No. 1 song on the charts in Zimbabwe.
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Busi, a self-taught guitar, mbira, hosho and ngoma player told Standard Style that she was thankful for being 60 despite a journey, which had its ups and down.
“Being 60 means a lot and I thank God and my ancestors who have kept me to reach 60 years in good health both mentally and physically,” Ncube said.
“I was born in Bulawayo at Mpilo Hospital on June 15 in 1963.
“To really describe the journey would take a lifetime, let’s just say I have been blessed with peace of mind and not much enemies and being who I am I can’t please everyone.”
Busi said sometimes she had to prioritise herself before others in order to be able to help them.
“Some call it selfishness, but if one doesn’t love themselves first, then one has no ability to channel positive and empathic feelings towards others,” she said.
“The journey has had its ups and downs, but I still stand tall being counted among my folk and have a proud sense of belonging.
“What has kept me this far, first and foremost I think it's humility, I learnt earlier in my career to walk away from situations that I was not agreeable with, than being confrontational.
“I am the kind of person that starts something with a goal in mind, and I thrive to fulfill that goal no matter the huddles in my path.
“You can say I am a stubborn character that never quits until l fall down and get up again.”
Asked how her career is planned for the next 10 years since age is also slowly eating away her strength, she said: “Ten years is unpredictable as God only is in charge of each and every individual.
“I am hoping I would be still healthy and grow to see my grandchildren, sing for them….and still be able to use my God- given talent,” said the artiste.
“I am working on a new project, but I don’t like putting timelines on my work as I like taking it at my own pace until I am satisfied.
“All this comes with maturity l suppose when you realise that you are in your own lane and running your own race with nothing to compete for.”
