Marimba maestro Banzi Tema is an advocate for the arts in Langa, with an impressive background in music. In 1983 Tema performed with Amajingqi, fusing jazz sounds and marimba. They shared the stage with the likes of Sakhile, Bayethe and Manu Dibango (The Lion of Cameroon). In 1987, Tema formed his own musical group called Heshoo Beshoo Marimba Group. They fused jazz sounds with marimba, pioneering a new form of music. The group went on to tour the USA, Canada and Norway, collaborating with Bjorn Eidsvag, a well-known Norwegian vocalist.
In 1991, Tema completed a course in Jazz Studies at Music for People’s Power (M.A.P.P.) based in the Western Cape. He then started taking an interest in teaching, and facilitated musical workshops, with students at Norwegian schools and around Europe. Locally, Tema became involved in the community by teaching music to underprivileged children from shelters, in areas like Sea Point, Heideveld and the Cape Flats.
Tema has worked with the late Langa jazz legend Ezra Ngcukana. Along with Ezra’s brother Duke, the three musicians formed the Chorimba Concept, a project that fused jazz and marimba with the sounds of the Langa Adult Choir. In 2010, Tema directed a musical drama called Ibhekil`evuzayo, which ran for a sold-out season at Artscape and the Grahamstown Festival.
Tema is currently the chairman of Marimba All Stars Project (M.A.S.P.), the leader of the afro-jazz group Amaza Ensemble, and the director of Imbewu Marimba Community Company. The company teaches the marimba to underprivileged children, and the adult ensemble performs at various venues throughout the Western Cape.