Alex’s praise poet cop hogs the airwaves
ALEXANDRA – Constable Mbalathi's praise poetry rings sweetly in the ear
The adage ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ aptly defines a ‘people’s cop whose commitment to duty blends seamlessly with his praise poetic calling.
Constable Bongani Mbalathi’s dual roles are hopefully helping to endear the citizens to the police force through melodies from his recently released ‘sweet to the ear’ eight-track album, Darling, which is trending on the airwaves.
Mbalathi, head of Cluster Four in Alexandra Police Station precinct has three other preceding albums. His musical gift dawned on him early and became intertwined with the country’s tumultuous history which almost led to a scorched earth scenario had it not been for the power of human restraint and cleverly crafted transition process to democracy.
” I was inspired into praise poetry by legend, Mzwakhe Mbuli’s renditions around the brutal killing in 1993 of ANC stalwart Chris Hani that almost tore the country apart.”
Then, Mbalathi was in Standard 3 at a rural school in Tzaneen. ” I got hooked into the trade and wanted Mbuli’s songs on Hani but my poor mother could not afford R30 for the cassette until a neighbour lent it to me.”
As they say, the rest is history – Mbalathi’s praise poetry kicked off with performances at school farewells, weddings, and parties. Sensing potential from his newly found talent, he tracked to Joburg from rural Limpopo in 2001 to better his lot – first, in the private security industry which helped him to cater for his daily needs and put aside the bit he could to further his budding poetry career.
This was under the radar of the public’s prying eye until he hooked up with renowned Shangaan music producer Patson Chauke with famed names Penny Penny, Percy Mfana and Matshwa Bemuda under his belt.
With his security skills background, he switched to the SAPS in 2015 which he found as an appropriate platform to security public safety through anti-crime poetry renditions at workshops. “Police management supports my anti-crime messages to residents. Music and entertainment always get public attention and help endear them to the police as partners in combating crime.”
His current release (album) conveys messages on love, social, cultural, traditional and moral issues. ” It’s important to restore their values in the youth who are at the forefront of most moral decay and ills in society.”
He exposes them to continental issues to discourage Afro-pessimism and urge for brotherly love, discourage futility of violence, destruction of public property, deceitful religious practices and promote virtues of commitment to real love in singular partnerships. This he said affirming the roles of artists as to entertain, educate, and create awareness on social issues.
He is urged on by his wife Brenda Shipalana Mbalathi, a police sergeant with whom he has three children. “She electrifies my body, is a circuit-breaker to my heart and am endeared to her Mona Lisa-like smile.”
His exploring in the beyond bubble gum tracks are likely to hog the airwaves for long.
“I am in touch with Mbuli and will hand him a signed copy of my release soon.
“I also owe it to thumps-up from fans trending positive comments on the release on WhatsApp and Facebook.”
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