At some point, a golden-brown-locked gentle giant came galloping into my life on a horse with hit single “Ou Ryperd”.
He didn’t grab my attention but for his dazzling hair, and he didn’t offend me either. I knew he was out there doing his thing, and that a very large number of English, Afrikaans, and Zulu-speaking South Africans were paying very close attention since his 1999 debut album Mercy, a Zulu gospel album.
Over two decades, 19 albums, and a whole television career later (don’t act like you didn’t watch Noot Vir Noot), Dozi is back with his second single and video, “Ek Wil Vir Jou Sê”, from his most recent album, Vrede.
“Ek Wil Vir Jou Sê” is bare to the bone in almost every aspect: The video is shot in the backyard of Dozi’s farm, just him and his (battered) guitar, surrounded by books and dirt. The melody of the verse errs on the cautious side of monotony, indicative of the back and forth in his mind as he ruminates on all the things he didn’t do or say.
The form repeats, again and again, and he seals off each verse, each cycle of confused what-ifs, with a level of decided earnestness, “Maar ek wil vir jou sê”, dat ek jou wil hê.” The only thing he knows for sure is that he misses someone deeply, and wants that someone badly.
The 56-year-old legend may have traded his golden-brown locks for a silver buzz cut, but he wears it well as he croons. I don’t know what he did wrong, but by the end of Dozi’s balladry, I’d be willing to take him back in a heartbeat.
