When you meet Sabelo Mpanza, known to music lovers as Sabelo Da Musiq, you quickly realise that his story is more than just about melodies and lyrics. It’s about a boy from Lundi, KwaZulu-Natal, who saw music for the first time on the back of a mobile truck and decided he would never let go of that dream.
Born and bred in Lundi, Now lives in Mbongoshweni. His journey began at Zilulwane Primary School and continued at Nhlungwane High School. But his real education came from moments that stirred his soul, like that day in Grade 1 when he saw a mobile stage in town, complete with live guitarists and performers.
The scene lit something inside him. Back home, he gathered anything with strings to build his own makeshift guitar. That was the spark that would fuel his life.
From primary school, Sabelo was active in arts and culture projects. His performances made him the talk of the school. He even joined an Ingoma Ushemeni group and participated in traditional Zulu dance competitions.
His first original song was written before he even fully understood the industry – music just flowed naturally. As he says, “I don’t have to think about what I need to write, the beats move me.” One early highlight was working on a TB awareness school project run by the Department of Health, where his songwriting talent was already making an impact.
At Nhlungwane High School, Sabelo linked up with equally passionate friends to form the group Mafikalishona. They never recorded – rural life meant no exposure and no resources. In their community, pursuing talent was often misunderstood. “People thought nurturing your talent was laziness,” he recalls.
One unforgettable milestone was when Zululand FM gave them a platform. Sabelo and his bandmates did a live studio performance and interview with Indidane, an experience that boosted his confidence and made him believe his sound deserved to be heard.
In 2012, Sabelo moved to Johannesburg, where the wider music industry revealed itself. By 2013, he had recorded his first track, a gospel song. But bookings were limited. “With gospel, you can’t perform at night or in certain venues,” he explains. So, in 2019, he shifted to Afro-Pop, focusing on love – a universal language that connects everyone.
His song “Red Card” with legendary Baba Thokozani Langa “Somnandi” was a standout moment, blending soulful melodies with raw emotions about love’s joys and heartbreaks. He also teamed up with Skhumba STS on the heartfelt track “Isimo Sami,” further showcasing his versatility.
Sabelo’s talent has landed him on some significant stages, including Somnandi Music Festival, Department of Arts & Culture’s Africa Day Celebration, Mkhulekelwa’s Event, and the upcoming Let’s Dance Masadi. Since last year, he has seen steady growth – more bookings, stronger fan engagement, and a clearer vision for where his music is headed.
Ask him why he writes about love so often, and he smiles, “Love is easy to sing about – whether it’s the good or the bad. Everyone relates to it. Everyone has a story.”
From a little boy with a handmade guitar in Lundi to an Afro-Pop artist making waves, Sabelo Da Musiq is proof that when passion is paired with persistence, the music will always find its way to the world.
