|
Spitkop makes music for tourists
15/05/2008 20:19 - (SA)
Neville Maakana
Tzaneen - A Limpopo pensioner has found an easy way to make money - he plays a traditional musical instrument for tourists.
Spitkop Maholobela (69) of Julesburg village near Tzaneen plays the "xitende", a musical bow that uses two calabashes as resonators.
"I never thought that I could make decent money from playing this traditional instrument," he says with a smile.
He says foreign tourists especially love to hear him play and that an American tour group even wanted him to return to the US with them.
"Unfortunately, I don't have a passport," he says.
Maholobela started playing the stringed instrument at the age of 10.
"In the past, we didn't buy musical instruments from shops. We made our own from nature," he says.
He started playing for tourists about two years ago to supplement his pension money.
Today, he performs at tourist destinations in and around Giyani, Phalaborwa and Tzaneen.
He also get invitations to perform at social gatherings and government functions. His dream is to record a CD.
"I also hope to get a chance to teach young people not only how to make this musical instrument, but also how to play it. I don't want to go to the grave with my knowledge," he said.
|
South Africa
