Maskandi singer ATM, who recently graduated with Master’s degree in African languages, has proven wrong those who associate the genre with uneducated people.
For decades, maskandi music has been associated with illiterate people who live in hostels. But that has changed as ATM, whose real name is Sibusiso Xhakaza, 32, decided to be an arts fundi.
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The singer graduated on Tuesday at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and has shown no sign of stopping. His plan is to pursue a doctorate since his biggest dream is to become a university or college lecturer.
The Maphumulo-born singer argues that singing or following maskandi has nothing to do with education status. He is currently teaching dramatic arts at Nqakathela Secondary School in Ndwedwe, KwaZulu-Natal.
His first album, Khuzeka, dropped in 2019 and won a best male maskandi artist award at Ukhahlamba Community Radio awards. The second album, Dela Mthakathi, was released in December 2021 and he says it is doing well.
“Maskandi has always been associated with people who are not educated. That has changed because many people now value education more than anything. I don’t see anything wrong with singing maskandi and I don’t care whether people judge me or not. I will continue singing maskandi music even when I have my doctorate because I love the music.
“Soon I will be adding TV acting on my resume because I also love it. Later, I want to write and direct TV shows and films. Being in the education space allows me to pursue music and acting because you have time to do that. You are at school between 7am and 3pm and the rest of the day you can use for your own things.”
Xhakaza, who grew up singing maskandi and performing Zulu dance, told Sowetan that education came late in his life. As a person from the rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal, when he was young, he wanted to be a maskandi star.
When he struggled to get a break while in high school, he took the education route. Though his parents were unemployed at the time, he never allowed that to deter him.
“I always loved singing maskandi but when I was in high school, I realised that I wanted to get educated and be employed so that I can take myself to the studio. I also wanted to learn more about arts and acting so that I can bring this knowledge to the people of KwaMaphumulo.
“In 2011, I had to find a job to raise money for registration. I went to Durban and worked at a car wash. In 2012, I started my bachelor of arts with major subjects being drama, African languages and journalism at the University of Zululand.”
His studies were paid for by National Student Financial Aids Scheme.
“When I completed my degree, I registered for postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) because I wanted to teach while pursuing my dream of being an actor and a musician.”
In 2016, Xhakaza came to Johannesburg to try his luck in the TV industry but things did not work out. However, he was fortunate that while he was still frustrated in Jozi, he got a call about a job opening at a school in Ndwendwe, outside Durban, to teach dramatic arts. In 2018, he was employed on a full-time basis.
Xhakaza is not married yet but has one child. He says his love for education has influenced his siblings, who all have tertiary qualifications while the youngest is in high school.