Mlotshwa, Samuel M. (1914-2012)

Samuel M. Mlotshwa: music teacher and singer in Ibandla Labazalwane Kukristu e-Zimbabwe (Brethren in Christ Church of Zimbabwe or BICC Zimbabwe); born in 1914 in Mayezane, Enqameni, in Wenlock at Gwanda, Zimbabwe to Masigwa, son of Macebo, and Lomapholisa, daughter of Mangoye Kumalo. He was the first born in a family of seven. In 1937 he married Matshwawu Matshazi; they had six sons and six daughters. Samuel died of natural causes 8 April 2012 at 98 years old. He was laid to rest at Mayezane 12 April 2012.

Samuel Mlotshwa gave his life to the Lord at a very young age, as his parents were well-respected worshippers. His father was one of the first ten believers baptized into the BICC Zimbabwe in 1899 at the Matopo Mission, which had been founded only a year earlier. Samuel was baptized at Matopo Mission with his friends Mpumulo Ncube and Maphendla Moyo. Samuel served the Lord through his teaching, love of music, and his astounding bass voice. His awareness of the power of music allowed him to inspire others and draw them into worship.

Originally Samuel was interested in herding cattle and farming like his father, and he could be heard humming different tunes as he went about his chores. Samuel began his formal education at a primary school in Mayezane, after which he attended Matopo Mission for his upper primary education in 1934-1935. Attending mission school and singing the hymns there motivated his love for music. This is also where Samuel took a teacher training course.

Samuel went on to teach at different schools in Insiza, Filabusi area, even as he also planted trees and taught songs to the students at Bungwe Primary School between 1937 and 1938. Samuel Mabhena, Mlotshwa’s nephew, remembers his uncle’s lasting influence. “The schools in that area were just bare, there were no trees. Mlotshwa planted a guava orchard at Bungwe. Many children were educated from the sale of guavas to communities where there were no trees….When Bungwe Secondary School was built, it was situated very near to the Primary School to be near a school with trees.”

Samuel was then transferred to Bulawayo where he taught at Lotshe in Old Location and later Lobengula Government Primary School, when it was opened in the early 1950s. Samuel found ways to use his career and position to continue to serve the Lord. For example, he asked for permission from Headmistress Lewis of Lobengula School to use his classroom for Sunday worship services. This was before the BICC built their church at Nguboyenja. The same classroom was also used for music practice in preparation for competitions. In these years Samuel became renowned as an organized and effective teacher.

Samuel and his wife Lomapholisa were both blessed with beautiful voices, and they joined Makgema Motswana’s choir, the Glee Singers. The time that they spent in the Glee Singers improved Samuel’s ability to teach music at schools and in the church with the tonic solfa and staff notation. In 1957 Samuel performed at the opening of the Mpopoma church. When visiting other churches, he would often be invited to lead worship and sing with the congregation.

The highlight of his music career came in 1960. Samuel was asked to teach and conduct the Hallelujah chorus, when evangelist Dr. Billy Graham came to Bulawayo. There was a picture of him conducting the choir, composed of members from different churches, that appeared in Reader's Digest in 1960.

Samuel was then transferred to Mtshabezi Primary School in 1961, which was also founded by the BICC. At this school he started many different choirs for teachers, teachers in training, and students from the school. In addition, he traveled to teach music and lead choirs at the Bible School and at Regional Conferences. The songs that Samuel primarily taught were hymns of worship, African-American spirituals and South African compositions. Later Samuel was transferred to Mayezane school, where he continued to teach singing for the church. There he formed an octette, whose performances were so popular that their songs were recorded and are still enjoyed today.

Samuel M Mlotshwa dedicated his life to spreading the word of God through music. He taught many people how to sing and worship God with their voices. At the end of Samuel’s life he was hard of hearing and could no longer sing well, although he still enjoyed watching others sing. His legacy lives on through his family and the students he taught.

This biography was adapted with permission by Mckenzie Richardson from Barbara Nkala and Doris Dube, Growing and Branching Out: Brethren In Christ Church in Zimbabwe and Southern Africa. Harare, Zimbabwe: Radiant Publishing Company, 2014.

Bibliography

Barbara C. Nkala and Doris Dube. Growing and Branching Out: Brethren In Christ Church in Zimbabwe and Southern Africa. Harare, Zimbabwe: Radiant Publishing Company, 2014.

Author(s)	Barbara C Nkala
	Doris Dube
	X X
Date Published	20 October 2023

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MLA style

Nkala, Barbara C, Doris Dube and X X. "Mlotshwa, Samuel M. (1914-2012)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. 20 October 2023. Web. 27 Apr 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Mlotshwa,_Samuel_M._(1914-2012)&oldid=177683.

APA style

Nkala, Barbara C, Doris Dube and X X. (20 October 2023). Mlotshwa, Samuel M. (1914-2012). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 27 April 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Mlotshwa,_Samuel_M._(1914-2012)&oldid=177683.

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