MVUSELELO BUTHELEZI

From a death bed, back to the top

Sithembiso Sibisi

His life was envied by most of his peers. A successful actor, a well known musician, a family man and a lot more. Mvuselelo Buthelezi was living every artists dream with seven albums under his belt and he had performed in all the big stages around the world. It looked like there was nothing that was going to stop him,until the day he was attacked by stroke. As if that was not enough,he was later diagnosed with another life threatning disease and he faced death in the eyes. Mvuselelos story of survival is nothing short of a fairy tale.

Mvuselelo was born in Umlazi Township,KwaZulu Natal where his father Dr. Bishop Sibusiso Lister Buthelezi was a Pastor. Growing up in a Christian home meant he had to attend church everyday and he was expected to be a good example to other children in the community and at school. He started singing at Sunday School and he later joined a church choir. At school he was also very much involved in a school choir. He believes that his upbringing has everything to do with him choosing performing arts as a career.

“After finishing Matric, I joined the cast of a musical, Sarafina under the mentorship of an internationally recognised theatre director,Dr. Mbongeni Ngema. I was playing the part of a Priest and I was also a singer. With Sarafina we had an opportunity to travel to countries like Austria, Germany, Italy, Spain,France, Japan, Botswana,Nigeria and we got to perform in big stages of the world. I was away from home for seven years and I learnt a lot when we were away as we were exposed to different people, cultures and religions.” - says Mvuselelo with pride written all over his face.

He says when they finally came back to South Africa, all he wanted to do was to share with others all the things he had learned and that is why he started a gospel music group called Pure Perfect Sound. The group won the Shell Road to Fame, a talent search competition. Soon after that he started his journey as a solo artist and released seven albums.

“ I was living my dream and then one day I just fell. I was rushed to the hospital and the doctors confirmed that I was attacked by a severe stroke. I stayed in hospital for a very long time and there was no hope of recovering. It was also discovered that I had kidney failure. I was at the verge of death but something inside me kept saying this was not the end, God still wanted to use me. I prayed a lot and asked God to give me another chance to serve Him with the talents He has blessed me with. I am a living testimony that God does listen and not only that but He answers too. Here I am today telling my story and I have no doubt in my mind that it is His mercy that has kept me this far. I cannot lie and say things were easy after this because they were not. I could not do anything and I almost lost everything I had . I was a ‘cabbage’ but God healed me. Today I am able to talk, to walk and most of all I am able to do what I love , which is to sing and give praise to Him.”

When he is not at church praising God, Mvuselelo spends most of his time rehearsing with the youth of Pietermaritzburg who are in the cast of a musical called “Seven days of War.” The musical is part of the work he does in his company, Singazile Productions. He is also working on his eighth solo album titled “ Thenjiwe” which is due to be released this year. He says this is his way of praising God and of thanking Him for all the good things he has done for him. He says for a long time, God has been calling him to be a Pastor and that is the journey he is planning to embark on next.