Sandy is done with babies

. . . says adios to Blues

Versatile artiste Sandra Ndebele says she has done all she can in Bulawayo and is coming to Harare. A dancer, singer, songwriter, actress and businesswoman, she is not just paying a visit to the capital, Ndebele is moving permanently.

Never one to pull her punches, the 34-year-old says she is done with baby making, which is why she is relocating to the capital with her entire family to focus on her music career and businesses.

Since giving birth to her third child late last year – a girl named Zinhle Meaghan – Ndebele has been a bit quiet, staging a gig here and there just to stay in form.

“I have not been as active as I would like because I was focusing more on family and the new baby. This has not stopped me, though, from planning a massive comeback and doing a few gigs to stay in the game,” Ndebele said.

She embarks on a nationwide tour, which begins at the immensely popular Jam Session at Harare’s City Sports Bar tomorrow, to promote her album “Izenzo”.

Ndebele has been in the capital for some time, preparing the ground for the safe landing of her family of two boys (grades two and zero) and their baby sister who is just a few months old.

“I have a house in Harare in one of the low-density suburbs, that is where we are moving to. My kids will be joining me soon,” said Ndebele, who says she has a new smashing video, “Madhlire” off her latest album.

The album features one of Zimbabwe’s biggest musicians at the moment, Jah Prayzah.

The seriousness being shown by Ndebele in her comeback is a positive development for the music industry in general and for female artistes in particular.

Only a handful of females are in the limelight at present, with the rebranded Fungisai setting the pace for the ladies in Zim dancehall after singing gospel music for years.

Now Ndebele wants to raise the bar even higher. Her latest video shows she is back with a bang: the dance routines and quality of the pro duction are world class.

The Bulawayo-born and bred musician says she plans to continue pursuing her other businesses, led by her new line of handbags, Sandie’s Bags.

“As you may know I have other interest outside music, so as I move to Harare I’m going to be pushing that side as well. Right now I’m excited about the handbag line, Sandie’s Bags. As I tour the country I will also be ensuring that my other ventures do not die, in fact, I want to use this new lease of life to make them even bigger,” said Ndebele.

Known for her energetic and sexually explicit dance routines, Sandy, launched her seventh studio album, “Izenzo”, at a ceremony attended by Jeys Marabini and Jah Prayzah.

Married to Nkanyiso Mbusi Sibindi, a Zimbabwean lawyer based in the United Kingdom, Sandra has performed in India, the United Arab Emirates, China, the United Kingdom, Russia, Canada and Japan, among other places.

She was born on January 3, 1982 and was raised in Tshabalala before her family moved to Nkulumane.

“Tshaya Tshaya” was her 10-track debut solo album released in February 2003. In the same year, she was nominated in three categories in the inaugural Zimbabwe Music Awards.

Tomorrow’s Jam Session at City Sports Bar features a plethora of artistes from Bulawayo, among them Marabini, Guluva 7, Derrick Majaivana, Khuyilo and Mzoe in what has been dubbed “Team Bulawayo invades Harare”.

They will share the stage with the likes of Andy Muridzo, Kessia, Tendai Chimombe, Bev, Mbeu and Talking Guitars.  In a statement, Marabini confidently said City Sports Bar was going to prove too small for what was on offer.

“My fans in Harare are always asking when I’m going to be making a stop in the capital. So here I come. I fear that place might prove too small,” said Marabini.

Ndebele, who arrives in the capital today from a business trip to South Africa, said she was excited.

“This is not the first time I’m performing at the venue, I have filled it up several times. But what makes tomorrow’s occasion special is the fact that this is the official launch of my comeback into full time music.

“After this gig I go on the nationwide tour to promote my new video and album. Nothing is going to stop me now because here in Harare is where everything happens. I’m excited and I will make sure that everyone who attends the gig gets value for money,” said Ndebele.