1. References

Smiler Mandlankosi Makama, born June 1957 in Mbabane, eSwatini is a traditional musician, multi-instrumentalist, composer and instrument inventor.

Smiles grew up in rural eSwatini where he was exposed and was drawn to the drumming practices of traditional healers. He left to the capital city, Mbabane to peruse music and due to the pressures of undesirability having a musician in the family. In Mbabane he encountered artists, conscientious objectors and activists from the Apartheid regime in neighboring South Africa. He started playing the guitar, makhoyane, marimba and bamboo flutes along with percussion. Him and his band got a regularly paying performance slot playing for tourists in the local hotels which lead to the formation of Zanka Calabash that performed extensively in eSwatini and in South Africa. In this time he invented his signature instrument the 'Smilerphone' which is an innovation of the traditional Makhoyane bow. In 1983 Zanaka Calabash was recorded and produced under Shifty Records by Lloyd Ross.

Smiles relocated to Johannesburg by invitation to start the cultural group Azumah which became one of the top cultural groups in the country. They were chosen to perform on the 11th of June 1990 for the official release of Nelson Mandela. They were recorded and produced by David Marks of 3rd Ear Music and released an LP 'Long time ago' locally under Tusk Records in 1989 and English based Kaz Records in 1990. Due to the Apartheid regimes strict censorship conditions the local distribution of the LP was limited because of its unintentional inclusion of the ANC colors on its artwork. Azumah was incorporated into the Sikulu Company's theatrical performance 'The Warrior' that toured internationally. At the end of the tour Smiles remained in Amsterdam, Netherlands in a self imposed exile from the Apartheid regime.

Smiles also featured on numerous recordings at that time as a featured artist and session musician, such as Manfred Mann's album Plains Music where the Smilerphone is heavily featured on the tracks 'Medicine Song' and 'Hunting Bow'.

In Amsterdam Smiles was a regular busker at organic markets and parks, in this time he started playing the Kora. Producer Bert Barten heard Smiles busking and invited him to work on his solo record titled The Source for his label Blue Lotus Records. Hailed as being his best album, it features many overdubs of Smiles simple yet enchanting lyrics and accompaniment by his smilerphone, mbira and Kora. Due to Smiles's unique approach and spiritual aesthetic the album failed to get any distributors for Southern Africa with the premise of being a new age album and not a traditional African record.

Bert Barten was commissioned by a fair trade company to create an album of work songs which Smiles lead called Abasebensi.

Smiles moved back to eSwatini in 2014 and currently lives in Msunduza.

The Smilerphone is an instrument invented by Smiles in the late 70s. It comprises of 7 traditional Makhoyane bows mounted horizontally on a bamboo frame and is played with two sticks in a percussive manner with additional bending of the bows for expression of notes. The Smilerphone has been featured on the platform Rare and Strange instruments. It has been exhibited as a sculptural installation in local galleries and is still being perfected.

Smiles associates as a Hare Krishna after reading a copy of the Bagavad Gita a hippie gave him in Coronation Park, Mbabane in the 70s. Smiles uses many traditional spiritual references and sacred musics often referring to the ancestors,the throwing of the bones and the practices of traditional healers. He is regarded by many as a healer through his music.

Smiles has influenced a number of notable artists locally and internationally.

As leader

Calabash Zanka - Zanka Magic (Shifty Studios, 1983)

Azumah - Long Time Ago (Tusk Music, 1989 and Kaz Records, England, 1991)

Smiles Mandla Makama - Abasebenzi (Blue Lotus Records, Amsterdam, 1994)

Smiles Mandla Makama - The Source ( Blue Lotus Records, Amsterdam, 1996)

As Sideman

Manfred Mann's Plains Music (Kaz Records, 1991)

References

• John Vaughan (governor)
• John Vaughan (Ironmaster)
• John Vaughan (major-general)
• John Vaughan (Middlesbrough)
• John Vaughan (MP for Dartmouth)
• John Vaughan (MP for Merioneth)
• John Vaughan (priest)
• John Vaughan (puisne judge)
• John Vaughan Thompson
• John Vaughan (wine merchant)
• John Vaughn Blake
• John V Basset (1518-1541)
• John V Basset (1518–1541)
• John V. Briggs
• John V. Byrne
• John V, Byzantine Emperor
• John V. Chervokas
• John V, Count of Hoya
• John V, Count of Oldenburg
• John V. Cox
• John V. Diener
• John V. Dittemore
• John V. Doe v. Holy See
• John V. Downey
• John V, Duke of Mecklenburg