Bulawayo DJ and producer Sijabuliso Ngwalo, better known as DJ Wozadynmite, says his upcoming single Umlilo is more than just a new release; it is part of his ambition to showcase Bulawayo’s music scene to a wider audience.
The track, which blends amapiano and house music, is scheduled for release on 1 August.
Speaking to CITE, Ngwalo said he wants the song to help define a distinct Bulawayo sound while opening doors for local artists on the international stage.
“The reason why I am releasing a song on August 1 is because I want to change and promote the sound of Bulawayo. We want to be heard. The track is more amapiano mixed with house music,” he said.
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Ngwalo’s music journey began in 2008 as a dancer before he transitioned into DJing, a move he says felt like a natural progression.
Now based in Johannesburg, South Africa, he credits the country’s vibrant music scene with broadening his musical horizons and shaping his career.
“I started music in 2008 and I used to be a dancer before, and being a DJ caught my attention. It is more like the same as dancing,” he said.
“Being in South Africa taught me a lot in terms of the culture of music. It played a lot of influence in my life because I can now play every genre from hip hop, house and amapiano.”
Ngwalo said moving to South Africa also gave him the opportunity to study music production, skills he hopes to use to strengthen Bulawayo’s music industry.
“I went to South Africa to learn to produce so that I can come back here in Bulawayo to promote music, to promote our own music and for people to support our own music in Bulawayo. For us to be internationally recognised we must have our own music as Bulawayo,” he said.
Despite the opportunities, he said building a career in another country had presented its own challenges.
“Being in a foreign country as a DJ is not easy. You have to align with the music that they do and also sometimes I had challenges with the language barrier, which made communication a bit difficult. Each time I faced a challenge it was a phase of learning,” he said.
Beyond performing and producing, Ngwalo hopes to invest in the next generation of talent by establishing a DJ academy in Bulawayo.
He said the academy would provide aspiring DJs with practical training and mentorship.
“My future inspiration is that I am looking to start an academy for DJs in Bulawayo and to give knowledge to the young people who wish to become a DJ,” he said.
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