Soweto-born Mpumi “Supa” Mbele is the director of Music is My Life which documents the life of Joseph Shabalala and Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
Mbele’s passion for storytelling has led him to engage with subjects that deeply matter, raising awareness on cultural phenomena and socio-economic issues.
After graduating from Chelsea College of Art & Design’s industrial design course at New York Film Academy and AAA School of Advertising, he has won many advertising awards as a creative director and runs his own agency in Johannesburg called Nine to Five.
He has directed commercials, television shows, and dramas such as Isibaya, The Lab, Hardcopy and Jacob’s Cross.
Music is My Life is a directorial debut documentary feature produced by veteran filmmaker Carolyn Carew from Free Women Films.
Shining a spotlight on Ladysmith Mambazo’s frontman, the film explores Shabalala’s rise to international fame with his iconic isicathamiya acapella group following their musical contributions to Paul Simon’s award-winning album Graceland, which went on to sell over 20-million copies.
Music is My Life was filmed over five years ago, traces his path from his humble beginnings in rural KwaZulu-Natal, to his peaceful demise in 2020.
The documentary has been announced as the National Film and Video Foundation’s international feature film submission for the 96th Annual Academy Awards (2023 – Oscars).
This is the first time a documentary has been selected since South Africa began submitting films for nomination in the international feature film category in the Annual Academy Awards since 1989.
Speaking to Sunday World this week, Mbele said he is still trying to comprehend the nomination and is hoping the acknowledgment by the Oscars will open major doors for him.
“I did not create and write the story with the intention to get nominated. I had a feeling that it was going to be one of those that are going to go to the world and would be appreciated,” he said.
“For me, I was just hoping that a lot of people would get to see and understand what an amazing man Joseph Shabalala and Ladysmith Black Mambazo was.”
The official nominations for the 96th Annual Academy Awards will be announced on January 23 2024.
