Victor Sithole

BIO

Victor Sithole, born in Escourt and now based in Durban, South Africa, is a renowned musician, cultural ambassador, and founder of Umzizima Arts Explosion, an initiative established in 2015 and officially registered on March 13, 2020. He is also the leader of the INSILA YEMBELEKO Project, which collaborated with the 2010 Schools of KZN and beyond.

Victor was introduced to indigenous music at an early age by his mother, Ntombiza, a master of the Umakhwenyana musical style. He further honed his skills in playing the udloko, askandi guitar, and Vika, learning from local maestros. Victor studied music formally at FUBA (Johannesburg) and completed ethnomusicology courses at the Australian Institute of Music (AIM) in Melbourne. Over the years, he mastered 16 Zulu traditional instruments and 10 Abatembu indigenous musical instruments, before expanding his expertise to 15 instruments from other African nations and abroad.

Victor’s musical journey has taken him across the globe. He worked with Jose and Mehu from Brazil between 1994 and 1998 and performed in countries such as Denmark, Poland, Sweden, Brazil, Cuba, Spain, Mexico, Germany, and Australia. In 2023, he collaborated with the World Music Group in Cornwall, London, on a project titled ‘These Shoes,’ which included contributions to a soundtrack of the same name. He has also recorded with several South African and international artists, including John Ellis and Qadasi (SA) on the song ‘Be When Done,’ Luke Berling (Hawaii) on ‘Mzansi Africa,’ and DJ Kabila on ‘Bayede,’ among others. Victor’s live performances include the Indigenous Music Concert at the Centre for Jazz (UKZN) in 2021, and participation in festivals such as the Durban Playhouse Film Festival (2003), Living Treasures Festival, Awesome Africa Festival (1999-2003), and more.

Victor also teaches indigenous music and instruments at institutions like UKZN and various schools in KZN, and conducts virtual lessons with students in Cornwall, England, where he teaches over ten students via Zoom.

Victor Sithole is an expert in indigenous music, with a particular focus on Zulu traditional instruments. He is known for his extensive knowledge of African musical instruments and their cultural history. Victor conducts virtual workshops and organizes indigenous music concerts. He is a passionate advocate for the preservation of traditional African music and instruments, which he believes are at risk of extinction. His newly introduced genre, ‘Indi Music,’ fuses indigenous sounds with modern music to make traditional music more accessible to younger audiences.

Victor has been nominated for Best Traditional Musical Instrumentalist at the MMIA and has been selected by the UKZN Mellon Foundation to teach African music and dance students. His charitable efforts include donating shoes to underprivileged children annually, alongside the Global Jamming/Launceston World Music Group (UK). He also voluntarily teaches and conducts workshops at approximately 500 schools per year in KZN, and works in the studio with students to record indigenous songs. One of his biggest goals is to see indigenous music dominating the global stage by 2030. On October 17, 2024, Victor received the AMAQHAWE AWARD from Zee Zonke Entertainment in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, recognizing his contributions to the preservation and promotion of indigenous music.

Victor’s ultimate goal is to spread the seed of indigenous musical instruments and traditions across the world, through performances, workshops, and recognition of these instruments as the foundation of all music. He hopes to launch many more indigenous music concerts and festivals throughout South Africa. In September 2023, he and his colleagues launched the Inzikamlando Cultural Exchange Workshops and Concert at the Ekhaya Multi-Arts Centre, focusing on educating participants about indigenous music, heritage, and ancestral praises. Victor also hopes to inspire authors to write books on traditional musical instruments, with the goal of preserving these musical traditions for future generations.