Colbert Mukwevho

Colbert Rudzani Mukwevho (born 26 October 1965) is a South African reggae musician and producer.Mukwevho was granted an honorary doctorate of Philosophyin Artsand Social Sciences by the University of Venda. This is how he came to be called Dr. Mukwevho.

Mukwevho was born in South Africa, Limpopo province, in 1965.He moved from the former homeland of Gazankulu to the Venda region under the Group Areas Act which was introduced by the Apartheid Government.

His wife, Ms Juliah Mukwevho, died at Siloam Hospital after a short illness in 2020, where the Executive Mayor of Vhembe District Municipality, Cllr Dowelani Nenguda paid a visit to the family after hearing the news.

Mukwevho started his musiccareer in 1975 by joining the family band, "The Thrilling Artists"at a tender age of 10. The band was formed by his father and uncle, where he joined as a backing singer and later was a bass player and lead singer. Most of Mukwevho's songs are sang in Tshivenda but some are sang inXitsonga or English. He has managed to record and produce close to 200 songs and has recorded close to 20 albums.

Mukwevho recorded "Mukhada O Ntshuma" and "Hani-Hani" albums with "The Thrilling Artists" under Gallo Record Company, at the timehe was just providing vocal harmony and playing the bass guitar. One year later a third album titled "Ha Nga Dzuli" which had reggae songs was released.

Mukwevho and his family departed "The Thrilling Artists" band in 1983 to form a new group called "The Comforters" which was led by Mukwevho himself. They recorded some songswith Radio Venda(now called"Phalaphala FM"), but the songs were not for sale. Mukwevho also worked with artists like Sello Chicco Twala and Brenda Fassie in the late 1980s.

Mukwevho worked with Jamaican producers such as Robbie Shakespeare and Sly Dunbar to record one of his albums in Jamaica. The album was followed by "The Lord is my Rock", which was awarded Best Reggae Album by South Africa Music Awards. He has also written and produced albums with the South African branch of EMI"CCP" .

Albums

• Gaku La Vhuswa Zwalo - Vhamvumvusi (SABC Transcripts) 1985
• Ni Khou Livha Luwani - Vhamvumvusi (SABC Transcripts) 1984
• Monthend Lover - The Comforters (Hit City Records) 1986
• Lion In The Sheep Skin - Harley and The Rasta Family (CCP Records) 1990
• I Do Nela Rothe - Colbert Mukwevho (NDT Music Publishing) 1992
• Hoyo Wanu O Naka - Colbert Mukwevho (NDT Music Publishing) 1993
• Tshigotshanama - Colbert Mukwevho (NDT Music Publishing) 1994
• Harley and The Rasta Family - Harley and The Rasta Family (CCP Records) 1997, (Best Reggae - SAMA Awards 1997)
• Phanda - Colbert Mukwevho (NDT Music Publishing) 1998
• Why? - Harley and The Rasta Family (CCP Records) 1999
• Muthu Ndi Nne - Colbert Mukwevho (NDT Music Publishing) 2000
• Doomsday - Colbert Mukwevho (NDT Music Publishing) 2001
• Mulovha, Namusi na Matshelo - Colbert Mukwevho (NDT Music Publishing) 2003
• Tshigotshanama (Remastered) - Colbert Mukwevho (NDT Music Publishing) 2005
• Mmbwa I Do La Mmbwa (Single) - Colbert Mukwevho (NDT Music Publishing) 2007
• Mmbwa I Do La Mmbwa (Full Version) - Colbert Mukwevho and Family (NDT Music Publishing) 2008
• Save Da 'Hildren - Colbert Mukwevho and Family (NDT Music Publishing) 2011
• Lion & Son O'Lion (Live) - Colbert Mukwevho and Family (NDT Music Publishing) 2013
• Doomsday (Remastered) - Colbert Mukwevho and Family (NDT Music Publishing) 2015
• Down But Not Out - Dr. Colbert Mukwevho and Kenny Wailer Murabi (Adziambei Music Academy) 2020, Disaster Relief Project
• Best of Dr. Mukwevho - Dr. Colbert Mukwevho (NDT Music Publishing) 2021
• Ri A Dikona - Dr. Colbert Mukwevho(NDT Music Publishing) 2022