He describes himself as “the international pantsula” – a township kid who can easily fit into any environment.
Smiso Zwane, aka Okmalumkoolkat, recently dropped the video for his song Amalobolo. But it’s not just any music vid, it’s a 10-minute short film. “It’s always been a dream to do a short film and I thought with this song I could experiment. We shot the film in my hometown in KwaZulu-Natal because I wanted to show off Umlazi.”
Okmalumkoolkat says his music comes from the heart and Amalobolo tells his story of love.
“The song, Amalobolo, is about a guy who’s in love with a girl but he isn’t ready for marriage. Ngishota nge mali yama lobolo is a metaphor for I’m not ready for marriage, it doesn’t necessarily mean, I’m short of money.”
The Gqi singer says the song also tells the story of how he met the mother of his child in 2008 and how they fell in love but he wasn’t ready to commit. “We met around 2008. I was working at The Gallery in Melville. I’d been in Joburg for maybe two years and she was still in college,” he recalls.
They fell in love quickly and soon had a baby. “Our son, Mholi, is eight years old now. At the time I was ready to be a father but I wasn’t ready to get married and the song is about my state of mind at the time,” he says.
Although he wasn’t ready for a commitment, Okmalumkoolkat says he’s a hands-on dad and his son is the best gift he’s received. “Me and my ex-girlfriend co-parent – I have a really good relationship with my son.”
This Christmas the Mlazi Milano singer will be driving to Durban with his son for the holidays. “All the nieces and nephews passed really well at school and we will have a big celebration for everyone.”