For several years, he connected South Africans from across racial, social and economic standing, keeping them on their feet with his hit song Nkalakatha.
On Sunday, as news of his death broke, South Africans from all walks of life – including those from opposing political formations – were united in their grief, and tributes to Kwaito star Mduduzi Tshabalala, popularly known as Mandoza.
Mandoza succumbed to his long battle with cancer on Sunday, after he was diagnosed with a brain tumour in May last year. He was admitted to hospital a week ago but discharged later, with his family confirming that he was home and in a stable condition. However, Mandoza's family confirmed that he died after being taken to hospital in the morning.
Mandoza’s former manager Vaughn Eaton was also quoted as saying that the musician passed away while on his way to hospital after he experienced trouble breathing while with his wife, Mpho.
“On their way to the hospital, as they got to the gate of the hospital, he just passed away. He couldn’t breathe,” Eaton told EWN, adding that the family was in a state of shock.
Sunday afternoon, a sombre mood pervaded Sithlenthle Street in Pimville, Soweto, which is where Mandoza’s house is located. Local children who idolised the star sat opposite the house among some adults as the news of the famous and well-loved neighbour began to hit home.
READ: Remembering #Mandoza, SA's top dog
Among the children was 15-year old Sidwell Skhosana, who described the singer as his role model. “He made good music. He is the best kwaito singer. I cannot believe that he used to buy at the same spaza shop I always go to. I attended his last concert at Orlando Stadium, he was on fire that day.”
Another boy, Modise Netshitandani, 13, said: “His songs were the best, I will always love 50/50 and Nkalakatha those ones never go out of fashion. The lyrics and the beats are just magic.”
Also at the house was Eugene Mthethwa, president of the South African Music Council. He said Mandoza wanted to spend his last days performing, even though he was blind.
“He said ‘Malome, I just want to perform on every gig available.’ He used to call me ‘Malome’ because Malome is a father figure, it’s because I have become a father to him and many others in the industry,” Mthethwa said.
“The SABC Thank You Concert provided a perfect opportunity for him to say goodbye. I appreciate the fact that he shared his comments until the last lap of his journey.”
Mandoza’s producer, Gabriel Le Roux, said he was shattered at the musician’s death. “Hearing the news of Mandoza’s passing (away), I was devastated. He was like a son to me. I have worked with him for 20 years, since his first album, Chiskop. I was blessed to be part of his life to help showcase his amazing talent,” said Le Roux. “Some of the greatest memories was the day we recorded Nkalakatha, he walked into the studio that day and said to me ‘Gabi, this going to the greatest hit ever made’. I laughed and boy, he was right, it became the biggest.”
Le Roux described Mandoza as a man who loved his family. “I remember when he received the news of first born. We at the airport, he was so excited. We want people to know the real Mandoza, this should be the time to reflect on his life.”
In a recent interview with Drum magazine, Mandoza’s wife Mpho opened up about how they believed he would beat the cancer after he did his last performance early this month at the Thank You SABC Concert.
Mpho also told the magazine about the type of cancer Mandoza had. She said her husband had been diagnosed with pharyngeal carcinoma, which is a type of head and neck cancer that generally starts in the throat and nose.
President Jacob Zuma extended condolences on the death of Mandoza. He said South Africans have lost one of its pioneers whose music appealed to a cross-section of people, young and old, and was known to have achieved the unique crossover culturally to be enjoyed by both black and white South Africans, Zuma said in a statement.
The Star and ANA