THE death of South African kwaito sensation, Mandoza, has saddened Namibian musicians, who yesterday said it was a great loss to kwaito music.
Mandoza, real name Mduduzi Edmund Tshabalala, died yesterday on the way to hospital in Johannesburg. The 38-year-old musician was battling cancer.
Producer DJ KBoz said with the loss of Mandoza, the kwaito industry was the poorer.
“He left a very good legacy, especially of putting kwaito on the international map,” KBoz said.
Top Namibian musician The Dogg yesterday expressed shock at Mandoza’s death, saying he was one of those who inspired him to do music.
“I used to follow his group Chiskop, and when his song Nkalakatha came out, I knew I wanted to do music,” The Dogg said, adding that Mandoza was never afraid to try anything new.
Another Namibian music maestro Gazza, who worked with Mandoza, said his death is a great loss to the music industry, especially kwaito artists whom he inspired.
“He gave life and hope to kwaito music. He was the first to play the genre internationally,” Gazza said, adding that he was also inspired by Mandoza.
“He was the first to introduce the rock guitar to kwaito music. If you listen to ‘Koko’ you will hear that,” Gazza said.
His death comes as a surprise to many since the artist recently performed at the ‘Thank You SABC’ music concert on 10 September.
Mandoza was no stranger to the Namibian entertainment scene as he performed in Namibia on a number of occasions, and collaborated with artists like Gazza and Ees.
He launched his solo career in 1999 when he released the top-selling album ‘9II5 Zola South – which sold over 100 000 units.
He has won multiple awards, including Channel O music awards, and the 2000 FNB South African Music Awards for Best Newcomer. He released 15 albums, encompassing a number of hits. He also starred in a movie titled ‘Number 10’.
According to media reports, Mandoza first battled skin cancer, which he thought he had overcome. But after undergoing an MRI scan, he was informed that the cancer was back, and it had developed into a brain tumour.
He is survived by his wife and three children.
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