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18 April 2024 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Leonie Bolleurs
Nkosingiphile Zondi
Nkosingiphile Zondi graduated with a BAgric Mixed Farming degree. In March, he also released his first music album, Ngingohlakaniphile.

If you have ever browsed music on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Music and came across the 15-track album, Ngingohlakaniphile, you would never have guessed that the young man on the cover – dressed in light colours of grey and white – has another passion: farming.

Nkosingiphile Zondi, hailing from a small rural area called Tugela Ferry in KwaZulu-Natal, graduated with a Bachelor of Agriculture, majoring in Mixed Farming Management, at the April graduation ceremonies of the University of the Free State (UFS).

According to Zondi, his love for nature, animals, and their well-being motivated him to pursue a degree in mixed farming.

Two milestone events in one month

Zondi, who describes himself as open to new ideas, hardworking, and someone who values respect (something his parents taught him), says he is excited and grateful for achieving two milestones: obtaining his degree and releasing his first album, both within a month's time (his album was released on 22 March 2024). “I have never been so happy in my life,” he remarks.

Regarding balancing farming and music in the future, he says it won't be a problem because he managed to do both in the past few years. Dr Phumudzo Tharaga, Lecturer in Agrometeorology in the Department of Soil, Crop, and Climate Sciences, says that Zondi managed to graduate in record time while pursuing his music career. “This is a unique talent,” he comments.

He believes that his music will help people see life from a different perspective. “Life is not only about struggles. There's also happiness after struggling. I hope that my music can heal people, ease the pain at times, and bring them happiness,” he says.

People to relate to the messages in his songs

On the other hand, he hopes that his music can generate income, which he believes will be helpful if he wants to own a farm. He looks forward to his music bringing him a better life.

Zondi describes his music as maskanda (traditional), representing the Zulu culture. “Those interested in the culture can gain something through this music. When I compose or write a song, I ensure that people can relate to the message being delivered,” he says, adding that his songs reflect people’s lives, often his own, as well as everyday occurrences.

He features as the lead guitarist and also handles vocals and composition. Zondi is accompanied by other musicians on bass guitar, keyboard, and concertina. 

News Archive

Islam. Boko Haram. Terrorism. Prof Hussein Solomon offers insight.
2014-09-04

 

 Photo: en.wikipedia.org

Prof Hussein Solomon introduction: video

When it comes to politics, there are lots of negative talk, but without any action or solutions.

However, with Prof Hussein Solomon, Senior Professor at the UFS’s Department of Political Science, there is not a lot of talk without solutions, but great activity regarding research work published on Islam, the Middle East, Boko Haram and environmental issues in Africa.

Prof Solomon’s most recently published article, Five Lessons Learned from Ejecting Islamists in Mali, was published in the Research on Islam and Muslims in Africa (RIMA) Policy Papers on 1 September 2014.
(https://muslimsinafrica.wordpress.com/2014/09/01/five-lessons-learned-from-ejecting-islamists-in-mali-professor-hussein-solomon/ ).

“The terrorist threat is mounting with each passing day in Africa with Islamist terror groups exploiting the ungoverned spaces, the availability of weapons, porous borders, an incompetent security apparatus and corruption in the political establishment,” Prof Solomon writes in this paper.

“It is therefore important, to explore cases where attempts have been made to dislodge the Islamists with a view to learn lessons so that future interventions do not repeat the failures of the past. This paper explores the intervention and lessons which could be learned from French and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) attempts to oust Islamists in northern Mali in 2013.”

Prof Solomon holds a DLitt et Phil (Political Science) from the University of South Africa (UNISA). In 2011, he was Visiting Professor at the Osaka School for International Public Policy (OSIPP). In 2007 and 2010 he was Visiting Professor at the Global Collaboration Centre at Osaka University in Japan and in 2008 he was Nelson Mandela Chair of African Studies at Jawahrlal Nehru University in New Delhi, India. In 1994, he was Senior Visiting Fellow at the Department of War Studies, King’s College at the University of London. He is currently a Visiting Fellow at the MacKinder Programme for the Study of Long-Wave Events at the London School of Economics and Political Science in the United Kingdom.

He is also a Senior Associate for the Israeli-based think tank Research on Islam and Muslim in Africa and a Senior Analyst for WikiStrat.

More articles by Prof Solomon:

Boko Haram and the case of the abducted school girls
http://muslimsinafrica.wordpress.com/2014/05/14/reinvigorating-the-fight-against-boko-haram-professor-hussein-solomon/

Australian Broadcasting Corporation interview on Boko Haram
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/counterpoint/boko-haram/5657882  

Reflections on Inga 3 and Beyond
www.saccps.blogspot.com  

Nile and Okavanga River Basins (pdf)
 
Nigeria’s Boko Haram: Beyond the rhetoric (pdf)

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