Johannesburg - Many fans were reminiscing on their favourite jams of Kwaito trio TKZee following the passing this week of one of the members Tokollo Tshabalala who was fondly called “Magesh” by his family, friends and fans.
And if you grew up in the 90s, the legendary group would have well among your favourite because they easily formed part of the Kwaito culture that dominated in that era.
It was in 1998 when TKZee set the party scenes ablaze with the release of their iconic “Kwaito Halloween” album which featured hits like “Phalafala”, “Magesh”, “Mambotjie”, “Dlala Mapantsula”, “Masimbela” and “Shibobo/The Final Countdown” featuring legendary soccer star Benni McCarthy.
Their music shook Southern Africa even more with hits such as “Fiasco”, “Fella Kae”, “We Love This Place”.
When Tokollo was born into a famous footballing family on October 14, 1976, no one could have imagined he’d go on to become the centrepiece of perhaps one of the most popular South African music groups of the late 1990s.
Tokollo’s father is former Kaizer Chiefs player and Orlando Pirates Football Club coach Stanley “Screamer” Tshabalala.
He died last Monday, August 15, 2022, at the age of 45, after a battle with epilepsy, according to a family member.
He passed away in his sleep.
“We’re going through the motions and reliving our childhood. He was a prankster of note and an all-around great character. We are from a big family but we all had a unique relationship with him. He was the first person to annoy you but the first person to shower you with love,” Tshabalala’s sister, Kutloano said.
Kutloano said while the musician was able to manage his epileptic seizures, he just could not get through the one which claimed his life.
“The seizures were being managed, but then, in the last couple of months, they were occurring more often.
“We were continuing to manage them, as we have been managing them, and he knew how to manage them, but, this time around, he just couldn’t get through the seizure, and God called him home,” she said.
Kutloano said growing up, she and her brother spent their formative years in Dube, Soweto and then moved to Douglasdale, Sandton.
They are now in the miniature farmlands on the outskirts of Pretoria.
“My brother ended up loving the farms because he was a quiet person and liked his privacy. He enjoyed the fresh air.”
She said after his car accident 22 years ago, he suffered from severe brain trauma and one of the consequences of it was that he developed epileptic seizures.
“It became his new normal. It wasn’t something out of the ordinary but in the last couple of months, he was having more seizures than normal.
“This is not what we were expecting.”
Many fans living in Dube, Soweto where he spent his formative years, said TKZee was an influential part of their lives.
“My uncle used to play their CDs and we’d always play them every time we’d have a ceremony here at home. Everyone has a TKZee story and it’s so much more than just music. It’s not only about their talent as a group but it’s also coupled with the times that we were born in,” said Nkululeko Mzisa.
Nhlakanipho Mlotshwa said Magesh would always be remembered as a musical and cultural pioneer who used his artistry as a weapon to uplift and develop the youth.
“We love TKZee. Kwaito will always be an impactful genre to us. It’s a genre that reflects us in the township because it’s a mix of township dance, house and rap music,” he said.
Khuli Chana was among the many entertainers who shared their condolences on social media. He featured the late artist on his 2013 hit single Hape le Hap 2.0. He wrote:
“Rest in peace to my idol, my brother Magesh. Our last conversation was heart-warming. Collaborating with you was one of my wildest dreams. Thank you for making it a reality.”
Tshabalala was laid to rest on Friday and a memorial service in his honour will be held on Friday, August 26, 2022.