MS Magazine

MS MAGAZINE Mokeona de Klerk We will work on it and try to find solu- I play to tions. It has a lot inspire people and more to do with that give than tactics confidenc to young kids who might shy away because of their size.” Lorch On his recent decline







Contents Lorch On his recent decline Mokeona ‘‘We will work on it and try to find solutions. It has a lot more to do with that than tac- tics’’ de Klerk ‘‘I play to inspire people and give confidence to young kids who might shy away because of their size.”

Decline in form MS Magazine takes a look at the skillful player’s current form and ex- plains why he is struggling at Bucs South Africa international Thembinkosi Lorch’s recent struggles in front of goal are a worry for Orlando Pirates. The 26-year-old player’s form is in the spotlight after he drew another blank in Bucs’ 4-3 defeat to Bidvest Wits in a PSL clash last weekend.

Lorch, who has established himself The Bloemfontein-born player has as Pirates’ talisman, is yet to register found himself in goalscoring a goal or an assist in the current positions, but he has spurned good campaign having made five chances displaying his lack of competitive appearances. sharpness in front of goal The injury has contributed to his The attacker is struggling to repli- slow start to the season and he cate the form which saw him scoop needs time to rediscover his best the PSL Footballer of theYear award form. after netting 13 goals and providing seven assists across all competitions Lack Of Hunger last season. Goal explains why Lorch has found it Just like most South African difficult to replicate his old form: footballers, Lorch harbours am- bitions of playing abroad and Injury he was tipped to leave the Buccaneers for a European club The former Chippa United winger following a successful 2018/19 missed Pirates’ first two matches of season. the season due to an injury which he picked up in pre-season. However, his proposed move to Lorch made his return during the Europe did not materialise with team’s 3-0 league defeat to French side Toulouse and SuperSport United on August 14 and Belgian outfit Club Brugge he has been a shadow of his old self. believed to be among the clubs which were interested in the player.

The failed move has affected his performances with the player having admitted he was looking forward to leaving Pirates for an overseas club. Pirates interim coach Rhulani Mokwena and his technical team will have to find a way to help Lorch rediscover his hunger and focus at the Houghton-based side. Change Of Formation Mokwena has made changes to the Pirates formation following the departure of Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic last month. Article continues below Bucs were a dangerous attack-minded team under Micho with Lorch, Vincent Pule, Augustin Mulenga and Justin Shonga being regular at- tackers in a 4-2-3-1 formation. The quartet formed a good understanding and they were able to hurt teams with their ability to interchange positions which brought out the best in Lorch. Lately, Mokwena has opted for the 4-3-3 formation which features three central midfielders and three attackers being Lorch, Mulenga and Tshegofatso Mabasa who operates as a centre forward. Lorch will have to adjust to the formation and prove he is not a one-season wonder with Pirates scheduled to face Cape Town City in a league clash on Saturday.







British connectio Not many rugby players have described moving to Manchester as a blessing but Faf de Klerk is a singular scrum-half and not just be- cause he looks half the height and weight of most of South Africa’s pack. He has become one of the players adopted by the Japanese media following the departure of their team from the tournament after losing against the Springboks. No player trod more over the dreams of the host nation than De Klerk, whose kicking, sniping and ability to read Japan’s lines of attack and snuff out moves at their point of origin earned him the award for man of the match, although some in South Africa com- plained he should have released the ball more, a tactic that got Ire- land nowhere in their group match against the hosts. Yet two years ago, De Klerk’s prospects of appearing in this tourna- ment looked no more likely than Jaco Peyper being made honorary president of the French Referees’ Society. De Klerk made his Test debut in the summer of June 2016 in the se- ries against Ireland, the first of 11 caps in a year that turned out to be South Africa’s worst with eight defeats, culminating in a reverse against Wales in Cardiff where he was sent to the sin-bin. Five scrum halves, none of whom is here, were to be tried by South Africa be- fore De Klerk’s time unexpectedly came again. The Breakdown: sign up and get our weekly rugby union email. He left the Lions for Sale in 2017. South Africa then had a rule that overseas players with fewer than 30 caps would not be considered by the Springboks but, such was the immediate impact he made, the stipulation was dropped when Rassie Erasmus took charge at the beginning of last year.

on “ It was what Sale’s supporters had become used to, but it was a markedly different player who had struggled to make any sort of impact at international level in 2016, admittedly as part of a team who lacked authority and direction. The tame defeat against Wales, the side they face in the semi-final in Yokohama on Sunday, summed up where they were before Eras- mus’s timely arrival

The only time I have faced Wales was three years ago,” said De Klerk, who was shown his yellow card that “As a team we are now more in tune with how an opponent wants to play and we are able to counter the stuff that they bring: we are better than we have been for a few years. It is going to be a slippery one on Sunday because any team who reach this stage of a World Cup will pose threats, but Rassie knows what his players bring and he backs us. It is up to us to perform.” “We have one of the biggest packs in the World Cup,” De Klerk said. “You can have size but to be physical is a different story. Every guy has brought that here and when one gets subbed, it seems like an even bigger one comes on. Eben Etzebeth gives players around him a standard to keep up with. We know what works for us and what doesn’t.”

At 12st 6lb (80kg) and 5ft 7in (1.72m), De Klerk would seem out of place in the land of the giants but what he lacks in size he makes up for in aggression. “We were nice and physical last weekend and we will be up for it again. Wales will be different to Japan and it will be about finding space. One of the features of this tournament is that it has shown what matters is the size of your heart rather than your body. If you are ready to work hard you will reach your dreams. I play to inspire people and give confidence to young kids who might shy away because of their size.”

master tactician The Buccaneers have flattered to deceive under the guidance of their young coach this season and find themselves down in ninth position, already 15 points behind fierce rivals Kaizer Chiefs. However, Khoza has offered his backing for Mokwena and says he will keep faith with the 32-year-old tactician at least until the end of the current campaign.

“When we hired Rhulani Mokwena, we said he would hold it down until the end of the season,” Khoza told the media as quoted by Isolezwe. “They (fans) knew that it was either right or wrong but what is im- portant is that we give him this opportunity because he deserves it and he will continue until the end of the season as we have already agreed.” This is the first season Mokwena has been put in charge of a club as head coach. He previously worked as an assistant coach under Pitso Mosimane at Mamelodi Sundowns and later Milutin Sredojevic at Pirates. The Buccaneers will be in action early next week when the Absa Premiership resumes following a two-week international break. The young tactician has defended his tactics with Bucs having the second-worst defence in the league Orlando Pirates coach Rhulani Mokwena has explained why his side is conceding a lot of goals. The Soweto giants have kept only one clean sheet in their last five competitive matches - conceding seven goals in the process. They conceded twice in their 3-2 victory over Polokwane City in a PSL match at Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Tuesday.

“I think anyone who didn’t watch the game and sees the score-line would think Pirates just scrapped through,” Mokwena told the me- dia. “The reality is that I think we were in complete control for the ma- jority of the match. “I don’t remember Wayne Sandilands having to make a save to be honest, but the reality is that it is 3-2. It is another two goals conced- ed.” Mokwena went on to liken Polokwane striker Charlton Mashumba’s goal to the one Bucs conceded against Kaizer Chiefs in the Telkom Knockout Cup quarter-final clash earlier this month. “Why?There are a lot of factors to it and we have to look at it deeply. It’s not just to scratch the surface,” he added. “We have to look at it deeper because there are lots of other mit- igating factors to it because Tuesday’s goal is exactly the same as Leonardo Castro’s goal against Kaizer Chiefs.” Certain critics have suggested the type of football played by the Buccaneers under Mokwena tends to leave the team vulnerable at the back. The former Platinum Stars assistant coach revealed they are look- ing for solutions to fix Pirates’ leaky defence.

Article continues below “Exactly the same, down the heart. We have to look at that and try to find the reasons as to why. We will work on it and try to find solu- tions. It has a lot more to do with that than tactics,” he concluded. Pirates have the second-worst defence in the league having conceded 18 goals in 12 matches. They will be hoping to keep a clean sheet when they face Baroka FC in Polokwane on December 7.





s M p o r MAGA t

S m u AZINE s i c

contents ZONKE ‘‘Somehow people can’t fathom that a woman in music can do everything for herself.’’ Rowlene ‘‘I’m okay with being a guinea pig’’ The Mucian ‘‘ ‘‘My music is not genre-based’’







Voice of my o Cape Town-born, Johannesburg-based singer Rowlene first made her mark in 2016 with the release of her first single ‘Imposter’. A col- laboration with Nasty C on ‘Phases’ thereafter as well the release of her second single, ‘Dance with You’, would eventually lead her to pursue music full time. As the first person to sign with Nasty C’s Tall Racks Records, she is currently working on her album and took some time to chat with us while she was at Red Bull Studios Cape Town to discuss her journey into music, find herself and what led to her signing with Tall Racks Records What kind of music was playing at home growing up? A lot of 90s music and 80s music. My grandparents used to listen to Etta James, so there was blues and jazz. So a lot of my influence comes from jazz and R’n’B music. My influence comes from old mu- sic. I grew up listening to Toni Braxton, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, trying to imitate them. But I never thought it was something that I would pursue and passionately would want to be doing. When did you discover your voice? I’d always been singing but the whole discovery thing happened when I was messing around in studio a couple of years ago with a friend of mine. He was doing music and submitting demos to artists abroad and he wanted someone to do the demos for him. A high school friend who had always heard me sing in class we went to the producer’s house the one evening because her sister was friends with this guy and she forced me to sing to him and ever since then I’ve been hooked. And that’s like 7 years ago. And I’ve been singing in studio. Just recording. Not even singing but I’ve been doing a lot of studio work.

own

If I didn’t get that push I wasn’t going to do it. Even now, getting signed, that was because people believed in what I was doing and what I could do. So they trusted the fact that I wasn’t pushing my- self hard enough at the time or I wasn’t trusting myself. I was one foot in, one foot out and I don’t think that’s how anyone should live their lives. That’s what I was doing until I found out that people ac- tually wanted me to pursue this and I want to pursue this. What led you to signing with Nasty C? I felt like I needed to do it because being independent is the best feeling because you feel like you can do whatever you want. But having a sup- port structure, having structure means so much more. You just need to know what you’re getting yourself into. We were always friends but we know the line when it comes to business. It wasn’t a decision where I was forced to do anything. I took four months to go through the contract, think about it, do I want to do this? I’m almost there, I just dropped this dope song, it’s doing really well. But it wasn’t even about that, again that’s where your pride and ego come in. If someone can help you, you should allow them to help you. I feel like this is a win-win because we’re both helping each other. I’m okay with being a guinea pig. We spoke about it because he’s never done this before, we’re the same age, and I’m okay with that. I told let’s do it. He thought I was going to say no, it took me so long to answer, we were doing the final touches for ‘SMA’ and I couldn’t answer him. I just smiled and said I’ll think about it. I wasn’t excited, not because I wasn’t excited, but because I didn’t know how to react because it was the first time someone had approached me with something like that. Personally to me, not even my managers, it hit me on a personal level. Because he

And I signed. I thought about it, I went to everyone for advice. But it’s a contract, we know where we stand, our relationship is dope, we don’t make shit music, we have great synergy and that’s all that matters to me because I know him so well and I know when he’s lying to me. It’s never gotten to that because we’ve always been friends. There’s a lot of trust. Any upcoming releases? I’m working on my album. That’s where I have been investing a lot of my energy into. I have a lot of things I want to drop but I can’t because I need to focus on the album. A lot of visual content coming from me

The Musician

Three-time SAMA Award-winning producer, Sanele Sithole shares where his passion for music began and his success tips to young people. It was the year of SunelThe Musician this year as he won two awards at the South African Music Awards on 2 June 2018. What inspired your passion for music? It was actually my dad, who used to bring his friends over at our home and play re- cords of different songs to them. My sis- ter also used to love playing a lot of kwai- to, so the different kinds of music I was exposed to from an early age sparked my interest for music. Share how you broke into the music indus- try. In 2011 I moved from Mooi River, in Kwa Zulu Natal to Johannesburg and got my first record deal at Demor Music. Dem- or (Thandukwazi Sikhosana) is from my hometown as well and he wanted to give me a break. I learned a lot there and pro- duced songs such as shella by Bucie, as well as All over the world by Zakes Bant- wini. A few years later I started El World Music, where all the magic world of mu- sic happens. Throughout my experience in the music industry I have learned that if you don’t have a plan and a team to help you get to where you want, it will take you longer to get there.

Congratulations on your SAMA Awards for the song Akanamali, featuring Samthing Soweto, does this recognition put more pressure on you? Those who know me know that I compare music to an art gallery and songs as portraits. People will love and resonate with some art, and might not find another hanging next to it appealing. My music is a presentation of the art I make and that’s why I don’t like putting too much pressure on myself. If people like my music, I am happy, if they don’t I work harder to improve on it. What are some of the challenges and highlights you have experienced in your career? eel like a lot of producers don’t get as much recognition as artists and it can be discouraging.The highlights for me are the team I have, they are passionate about what they do. The single, Akanamali has been a very big highlight for me as well.And playing at Black Coffee’s Homecoming at Umthatha last year was a phenomenal experience. How would you describe the music you make? My music is not genre-based. Although it’s centred around dance music I also incorporate other genres, such as Afro Pop and gospel. Which other artists would you like to work with? I would love to work with Shekinah who also cleaned the SAMAs this year, Sjava and Lady Zamar.

Do you have fears, per- taining your career? To be honest, I fear not being able to make music that people will resonate and relate to. What is the best ca- reer advice you have received that you still apply? The advice I got is that in the entertainment industry you have to get a good manager, who will help get you the right team to support your vision. I also learn a lot from my mistakes, which I believe are my biggest teachers. What are your success tips to young people? In anything you want to do be your authentic self and surround yourself with people who will support the vision you have. I also believe that there is no concrete formula for one to get to where they want to be. Just follow your dreams and trust that things will work out.





superwoma The tag superwoman is bandied about loosely these days - and I couldn’t think of a more appropriate time to use it after meeting Zonke Dikana. This Wonder Woman is the epitome of a music superhero. She writes and composes her music, arranges, produces, sings and performs. “Even in 2018, on my sixth album, I still have to explain that I wrote, produced the entire project. Some people find it hard to believe that I do all of that on my own, in my music. I don’t know if it’s because I’m a woman. “Sometimes I feel like climbing on top of a mountain and shouting to address this once and for all, but at the same time it keeps me go- ing. I tell myself ‘you doubt me? I will show you and do it again’. “Somehow people can’t fathom that a woman in music can do everything for herself. It’s easier to accept that in fine art or fashion design or interior decor. They are going to wait for a long while if they think there is a ghost producer I hire and pay to keep quiet.” We meet on one of the coldest days of the year. She looks demure in textures of black and flawless make-up. Bright-eyed, petite and full of smiles, she is a star at every angle. At 38, you’d be forgiven for thinking she’s in her 20s. As we sink into one of the luxurious sofas in the Sade room of Sony Music offices in Parktown, Johannesburg, it hits me how ironic that we would be

an

“It’s about the ultimate state of love in general, not only between a man and a woman. It’s a happy album,” she says. With just nine songs that are destined to be classics in their own right, Zonke takes you on an emotional journey. From the rhythmic opener Ndili Mpondo, the lively Intliziyo, the groovy Soul to Keep featuring Kwesta, to the disco bangers Tonight and L.O.V.E and the sumptuous Uyandithanda and Ndiyakthembisa, there is a song for every season and emotion. In search of the holy grail that makes a quintessential Zonke song, our conversation goes back to Sade. “She is my inspira- tion and I feel she mirrors me with her unique style. You’re forced to look for her in the music. Mystique is impor- tant in music.

“I’m naturally not too outgoing, not to say I’m unfriendly, but I’m not tempted to be what I’m not. “I’ve always been an old soul, the skirts have never been shorter and I’ve never partied. I’ve just maintained my music and this family busi- ness my father started.” She refers to the legacy of her late father Viva, stepmother Anneline Malebo and sister Lulu who were all musicians. Our chat reaches an emotional crescendo when we talk about how she lives for music. “Music is all I live for, to a point where I feel so guilty because if you were to ask me, ‘which is more important, your kids or your music?’ “I’d rather say ‘both’, but I can never say it’s them [my kids]. If it’s not the music then I’m no good to them. I will be dead, a zombie to them. For me to be present and be happy as their mom, they gotta let me do the music.” My recording studio has been under construction for a few months now and I’m happy to say that by end of November it should be done. In the new year I can’t wait to find and give new talent (male/female) a chance and get to record them in my very own fully loaded studio! Her last album L.O.V.E was released 2018, her fifth studio album, has songs such as “NdiliMpondo” a homage to the importance of nation- al identity, and “Uphelelwa Lixesha”, a cautionary tale to unfaithful lovers. We have no doubt that she’s going to cook up a storm. Zonke however is not building the studio to keep it all to herself, she’s calling on budding new talent to come and test their mettle in her studio. We’re curious how she’s going to run her ship. Will she be writing, producing or featuring on these songs? It would be a privilege to any singer to have Zonke adorn, in any shape or form her talent on their work. Nevertheless, we’re looking forward to the official opening of the studio and work to start being churned out.





MS The Mucian My music is not MAGAZINE genre-based. ZONKE Somehow people can’t fathom that a woman in music can do everything for herself. Rowlene I’m okay with being a guinea pig