THE TEAM

Jacques du Plessis was born and raised in South Africa. He studied at the University of South Africa and at the University of Pretoria, before coming to the USA, where he started the Afrikaans program at BYU in 1985. The materials developed for the BYU program are the basis for these Web-based courses. Jacques' introduction to the Venda culture started with his dad's stories about the Lemba people, a sub group of the Venda people. Today Jacques' brother lives close to Vendaland, and he has many Venda friends. This contact has given him access to the culture and the people.

At a chance meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Jacques met the South African performer, Makhadsi. She is a gifted singer and she is the sole language contributor to the site.

Pfananani Mphelo

Makhadzi has released her latest album entitled Tshilonda tshi do fhola, which means this wound will heal, which was influenced by her traumatic experiences in her life. This album is dedicated to everybody who has ever gone/went through hard times, and it comes as a consoling and soothing sound, that would make people melt.  Included are tracks like Mutuku na Delele which is a favorite meal in Venda. The songs also include a song called Rendani Nwananga, a song about my son who lost his speech when he was three. This song will help many mothers who have kids with disabilities, to cope with their situation. Another breathtaking song is Vhafumakadzi vha Afrika, which is dedicated to all the women of Africa, who have endured the abuse and hardship of one kind or the other, but who continue to provide and to love unreservedly.

MUSICAL EXPERIENCE

- She started singing in 1989 as a backing vocalist for musical groups such as Patleo, Senyaka many others.
- She recorded her debut album in 1991 entitled Salungano Salungano and the second entitled Hallalah in 1992.
- Thereafter, she took a long break and started concentrating on her career as a journalist and starting a family.   
- After a long break she met her advanced new producer Abe Sibiya, through, musical guru Sello Chicco Twala, and released her album called Vhafumakadzi vha Afrika in 2000.
- Makhadzi has again released her new album called Tshilonda tshi do fhola, which means this wound will heal, which she says is a must have for African Jazz music lovers.
- Makhadzi says this album is worth the wait and feels there is so much difference between this album and her previous releases.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Makhadzi is the first Venda artist in South Africa to make her music reach international markets. In 2000 her record Vhafumakadzi vha Africa was nominated for the South African Music Award in the best traditional album category. Makhadzi has just returned from the trip to Chicago in the United States of America where she performed during the 15th Freedom Day Celebration in a place called Primitive, where general consuls from different states of USA attended the show.  During her visit in the USA she also performed at the event organized by the honorary consul general Alderman Joseph in Milwaukee, which is about two hours drive from the City of Chicago. Makhadzi made a name for herself during this performance and as a result she was invited to go back to the USA to perform later this year.In 2005, she was invited by the High Commissioner in Britain to perform during a fund raising ceremony for South African charity organization known as Phelophepha Health train, which helps to reach people in the rural areas who can’t access medical help easily where they stay.During her stay in London, she also performed at a women’s event  which was organized by the the former British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s wife, Ms Cherie Blair at Trafalgar Square in London. The aim of the event was to celebrate what women have achieved so far and all the hardships they go through in their lives. In 2007 she was invited by the South African ambassador in Bangkok Ms Nomvume Magaqa to perform during the South African Freedom Day celebration on the 27th of April. This is one of the most memorable event, which reminds us about the first ever South African democratic elections held in 1994. During this event Makhadzi met the Cuban ambassador who also promised to invite her to visit the country to perform.In 2007, Makhadzi also had an opportunity to perform at a special event to celebrate South African heritage Day on the 24th of September in Spain, Madrid.Makhadzi has release her new album recently which will see her travel all over the world.  Makhadzi has recently won an award for South African Traditional Music Awards (SATMA) as Best Female for 2008 which were held in Durban on the 27th of September 2008.In October 2007 Makhadzi was nominated as one of the SABC NEWS AWARD  finalist in news presentation nationally. On the 23rd of July 2008 she was awarded a trophy and a certificate by Pansalb Language Board as the best female radio news presenter in Venda.  On the 18 Octomber 2008 she was awarded a certificate for being one of the musician who is moving with the times musically by Livhone School of Academy.

FAMILY BACKGROUND

Makhadzi is the sixth child of Mrs Josephine Mphelo and the late Mr Alfred Mphelo. She comes from a family of seven, four boys and three girls, and she is the youngest of the three girls. Since her family did not have a musical background, they allowed her to join the musical profession with ambivalent feelings. This can be best understood from the kind of thinking that was prevalent amongst parents then. You either had to be a teacher, a nurse or a lawyer. Music was considered to be a low-class kind of profession, and often associated with moral degenerates and school drop-outs from dysfunctional homes or communities. 

WORK EXPERIENCE

 - Started working at The Sowetan newspaper as a showbiz freelance reporter in 1989.
- In 1991 she worked at the then Radio Venda as a part time presenter for Population development and road to health programs.
- In 1992 she worked for the then CCV TV's Cosmo Life Magazine programs as a private presenter and a voicer.
- In 1993, she joined the then Radio Thohoyandou as a field reporter, where she also presented Jazz, Gospel and Current Affairs programs.
- She is currently working at the SABC as a news presenter for Phala Phala FM to this date.