Outrage as award-winning historian and musician Mbuso Khoza exits Ukhozi FM after nearly a decade
Award-winning composer, historian and artist Mbuso Khoza who announced has called time on his contribution on Ukhozi FM's mid-morning show after nearly a decade of volunteering.
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UKHOZI FM listeners have expressed outrage following the withdrawal of acclaimed musician and historian Mbuso Khoza from the station, where he served as a volunteer contributor for nearly a decade.
Khoza had been a regular contributor on the mid-morning show Jabul’ujule, hosted by Dudu “Lady D” Khoza (no relation). He announced his departure this week, citing academic commitments as the reason he can no longer continue with his Friday slot on the programme.
The award-winning vocalist and cultural historian said he is returning to his studies to focus on completing his Master’s Degree in Musical Theatre.
“Now that I am going back to books, I thought I should let everyone know that I am bowing out,” said Khoza, 47, who began contributing to Ukhozi FM in 2016.
"It has been a great 10 years of volunteering as a contributor on one of the biggest radio stations in the world, Ukhozi FM. I have no one to thank but Lady D Khoza for believing in me since 2016," said Khoza.
Khoza is the founder of Ijadu le-Afrika, an organisation and musical collective dedicated to the preservation of isiZulu traditional hymns. His Friday segment, which initially aired under the same name, focused on Zulu customs, ancestral knowledge, traditions and history.
The feature was later renamed Ikhosomba leziNgcithabuchopho.
THE presenter of the mid-morning show Jabul'Ujule on Ukhozi FM, Dudu "Lady D" Khoza who got praise from musician and historian Mbuso Khoza (no relation) for opening doors for him.
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However, news of his departure sparked widespread reaction from listeners, many of whom questioned why a historian and cultural custodian of Khoza’s stature had remained a volunteer for so many years despite his significant contribution.
Some called on the station to formally honour him for his role in preserving Zulu culture, arts and history, particularly his work in reviving traditional hymns. Unpaid contributors are the standard norm in broadcasting.
Born in eShowe, Khoza is also a respected recording artist. He won the Metro FM Music Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album in 2013 for his debut release Zilindile (released in 2012), and was nominated at the 2024 South African Music Awards for uShaka Ilembe Soundtrack Vol. 2.
Over the years, he has collaborated with leading artists including jazz pianist Nduduzo Makhathini, Mondli Ngcobo, international superstar DJ Black Coffee, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Thandiswa Mazwai, Sibongile Khumalo, Themba Mkhize, Carlo Mombelli and Dutch pianist Mike del Ferro and has travelled extensively in Europe, the USA and Africa.
Beyond music, Khoza is a former columnist for Independent Media’s Isolezwe and has appeared as an actor on the Mzansi Magic's telenovela Umkhokha: The Curse.
Khoza theatre production, Amahubo Symphony, returns to Constitutional Hill, Johannesburg later this month on the 25th. The show features his 16-member choir Ijadu le-Afrika and 18-member band playing different instruments from horns, drums and traditional music instruments.