BILLY SUTER chats to charming, versatile and ever-smiling singer-guitarist RENE TSHIAKANYI, who was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo but who, for years, has been based in Durban. He continues to perform at various venues throughout the city, where he holds a number of charities close to heart.
WHERE AND WHEN WERE YOU BORN – AND ARE YOU FROM A MUSICAL FAMILY?
I was born on March 4, 1981, in Mbuji-Mayi, capital city of Kasaï province on the southwest of the Republic Democratic of the Congo. My family has a mining background and the only music I ever heard were records my father played.
WHAT IS YOUR HOME LANGUAGE?
Tshiluba.
WHAT FORMAL VOCAL TRAINING HAVE YOU HAD? AND AT WHAT AGE DID YOU START TO PLAY GUITAR?
I have never had formal vocal training. I became a singer by imitating the singers I heard on the radio. I started to learn how to play the guitar when I was 26. I also play the piano.
HAVE YOU ONLY EVER BEEN A PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN? IF NOT, WHAT OTHER JOBS HAVE YOU HAD?
I was working towards a career as a mechanical engineer for MIBA diamond mine, where my father and grandfather worked. Then the rebels came to power in the DRC in 1997 and took over all the lucrative companies to service their debt and pay for the war effort. Through mismanagement and corruption, the diamond mine ceased to exist altogether.
My father was very depressed by the situation. He suffered a stroke and my family lost almost everything.
It was at that time, looking for something to distract me from the family misfortune, that I started singing. At first it was a hobby, but it’s been a profession now for almost 12 years.
WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF THE MUSIC PROFESSION?
It might sound a little romantic for some, but I can say that music chose me first. It has been a companion, an escape, a place I could go to hide from pain and emotional hardship.
WHERE DID YOU FIRST START PERFORMING FOR THE PUBLIC?
It was in 2008 in Kinshasa, the DRC capital.
WHEN AND WHY DID YOU END UP IN DURBAN? AND DO YOU ALWAYS PERFORM IN THE CITY, OR DO YOU TRAVEL FAR AND WIDE FOR GIGS?
Moving to South Africa in August 2009 was a family decision and not my own. I am fortunate to be able to travel nationwide and perform for a diverse audience, but most of my work comes from Durban.
WHAT DO YOU MOST ENJOY ABOUT BEING BASED IN DURBAN?
I love the landscape, the architecture and the history. Mostly I am very grateful for the friends I have made and the support I have in Durban. It’s a real privilege.
WHERE ARE YOU CURRENTLY PERFORMING REGULARLY? PLEASE GIVE TIMES AND DAYS.
I perform from 6pm to 9pm on Wednesdays at Europa, Umhlanga Sands Hotel. On Thursdays I am at Mozambik, Ballito, from 6pm to 8pm; and on Friday and Saturday I am at the Lifestyle Centre, Ballito (1pm to 4pm or 6pm to 9pm). Catch me on Sundays, from 1pm to 3pm, at Robson’s, opposite Durban’s new cruise liner terminal.
WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR THREE MOST MEMORABLE GIGS TO DATE?
I have had a lot of memorable performances but the one still on my mind happened in November 2015 – at the Africa Peace Awards at the ICC Durban,p a Themi Venturas production.
Half of that production’s repertoire was made up of my original songs in French and English. Themi was loved and hated for having a high standard, and for being demanding when it came to casting talent for his productions. He made me realise that I had something of value. I felt very lucky that night to perform my work for foreign dignitaries and the president of South Africa.
WHAT WAS YOUR WORST/LEAST MEMORABLE GIG?
I was invited to perform at a wedding, but the client did not tell me there would be other musicians. Things got out of hand when family members and friends of the couple wanted to exhibit their talents.
It turned into a kind of competition. I was often interrupted. My microphone was muted sometimes while I was still singing. It was traumatising.
I went home thinking why someone would pay me and not let me perform.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE FUNNIEST/MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT YOU HAVE HAD IN THE PUBLIC EYE?
Years ago, while performing at a funeral, the smoke and smell of incense was so strong, and so affected me, that I forget song lyrics. I tried, but it was impossible to regain control of the performance. I was very ashamed. I then tried to improvise but had the feeling that the audience was quite disappointed already.
ANY FAMOUS PEOPLE YOU HAVE PERFORMED FOR, OR ALONGSIDE?
In 2011, at the Durban World Music Festival on the beachfront, I performed alongside Johnny Clegg, Edwards Mayer and DJ Black Coffee, to name a few.
YOU RELEASED A SINGLE, ‘LA PRESSE S’ EFFACE’ (MEANING ‘JOURNALISTS ARE BEING ERASED’) THAT SPAWNED A VIDEO WHICH WAS NOMINATED ALONGSIDE ONE BY LADY GAGA. TELL ME MORE ABOUT THAT.
It was a tribute to journalists and the media. In June 2007, Annie Marie Kalanga, then a journalist with Congo national television, was shot by a group. This caught my attention.
From 2005 to 2007, 12 more journalists were killed while doing their job. To pay tribute and raise awareness of media freedom, I wrote that song – and I was supported by the UN Media for Africa, and the Belgium and Germany Embassy, for the promotion of the song. The single was aired on Belgium and German radio.
I left the Congo the following year, when my family realised my safety was then at stake. Still, in 2009 and 2010 the video of the song was nominated in the UK for the NME Shockwaves Award, alongside Lady Gaga and French singer Patrick Bruel.
I HEAR YOU WERE APPROACHED TO WRITE AND RECORD A NELSON MANDELA TRIBUTE SONG FOR A FRENCH RADIO SHOW. PLEASE ELABORATE.
When Nelson Mandela died, French radio station, RFI, held a tribute show. They were looking for a French-speaking musician who could write and perform a song in French for the show. I was given 24 hours to write the song and performed it live, over the phone, on the night of the worldwide broadcast.
Since then, I have not performed it again. To give value to the song, it needs a proper production. I am hoping to record it sometime soon.
WHAT OTHER RECORDINGS HAVE YOU DONE – AND HOW DID THEY FARE?
In 2021, I released three songs as an independent artist – All I Need is a Friend for a UN agency documentary film; Now That I Am Free, which accompanied the outreach Campaign of the Robin Hood Foundation of South Africa; and a soul ballad called Can We Please Talk. All these songs can be found on YouTube, Spotify, Appel Music, Deezer, Amazon and other streaming platforms.
ANY OTHER RECORDINGS (OR OTHER EVENTS) PLANNED?
I decided to review my life and career after the Covid-19 pandemic. As a performing artist, I faced a very difficult time and was supported and taken care of by friends. I came out of Covid-19 with new eyes. I have been mainly writing and composing for future recordings, to be announced when the time is right.
YOU ARE AN AMBASSADOR FOR LIFELINE. TELL ME MORE.
In November 2012, I was invited to perform at a charity event organised by Lifeline and was thanked with a “personal growth” course with Lifeline.
I did not realise then that another journey was just beginning. The course opened my eyes, equipped me with tools to deal with my own emotional challenges and, in turn, deal with emotional challenges of those closest to me.
The Ambassadorship came two years later. I use my social media and live performances to engage with the community, and with my radio interviews and TV appearances I also raise awareness about mental health, emotional health, gender-based violence, suicide and other related issues.
With the support of Lifeline Durban we launched the Hope Concert, an annual fundraising concert, seven years ago. The next Hope concert is scheduled for the 2023 at Durban’s Barnyard Theatre at Suncoast Casino.
TELL ME ABOUT OTHER CHARITY WORK THAT YOU DO.
I was approached by management of Essenwood Home to entertain their residents. After years of visiting them with the Robin Hood Foundation of South Africa, for the ‘Blessed the Grannies’ programme over December, I now perform at the home every month. I also work with other non-profit organisations that seek my help. We are stronger, and accomplish more, when we are working together.
HOW MANY ORIGINAL SONGS HAVE YOU WRITTEN AND IN WHAT VARIETY OF LANGUAGES?
I have written close to 60 songs, most in French and English. When it comes to performing, I sing in French, English, Portuguese, Afrikaans, Zulu, Shaïli and I am now studying the Italian language.
WHO ARE YOUR MUSICAL INFLUENCES AND HEROES?
I admire Marvin Gaye, Claude François, The Beatles, Papa Wemba, Ray Charles, Elton John and Jacque Brel … to name a few.
HOW MANY SONGS ARE IN YOUR REPERTOIRE AND HOW OFTEN DO YOU ADD TO YOUR REPERTOIRE?
I have close to 300 songs in my repertoire, as I mainly perform by audience request. I personally love the music of the ’70s and ’80s.
WHAT WORDS BEST DESCRIBE YOUR STRENGTHS? AND WHAT WORDS BEST DESCRIBE YOUR WEAKNESSES?
I have heard that these words offer positively: Warm, friendly, bubbly, funny, elegant. And I think the following might describe my weaknesses: reserved, picky, loud and opinionated.
WHAT ARE SOME THINGS ABOUT YOURSELF THAT THE AVERAGE PERSON IS NOT LIKELY TO KNOW, HOWEVER TRIVIAL THEY MAY BE?
I am very easy to live with. I like a simple life. I collect books from secondhand shops. Also, I am interested in ideas of social mobility, and ideas of personal development.
WHAT IS THE BEST THING A FAN HAS SAID ABOUT/TO YOU? AND THE ODDEST THING?
I often get beautiful compliments. One of them was: “You were just the cherry on top of the cake”. If I can honestly remember, I once heard someone saying: “He has a bit of an attitude”.
WHAT PLANS FOR THE IMMEDIATE AND LONGER TERM?
In the short term I am getting my tenor saxophone ready for 2023. For the long term I am working to establish my career internationally.
ANY OTHER NEWS OR COMMENTS?
I have signed my very first endorsement deal for the Kawai piano, with Ian Burgess-Sampson Pianos.
.....SoSuterBill..... 