Share

Songs, speeches at Mandoza’s funeral

accreditation
 Mandoza’s wife, Mpho, with her daughter Karabo PHOTO: LEON SADIKI
Mandoza’s wife, Mpho, with her daughter Karabo PHOTO: LEON SADIKI

Mandoza’s final farewell was a celebration of the kwaito legend’s life.

Mourners sang and danced along to old-school kwaito songs such as Gibela Phezu Kwendlu and Amaloya, performed by kwaito musicians including Mdu Masilela, Eugene Mthethwa, Doc Shebeleza, Mapaputsi, Oskido and Sibusiso Ntshangase. All were dressed in suits.

The Grace Bible Church in Pimville, Soweto, was filled to capacity on Friday, with artists, politicians – among them Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula – and members of the public paying tribute to the Nkalakatha hitmaker, who had been diagnosed with cancer in May last year and received treatment for the disease for several months before going into remission early this year.

In church, pictures of the 38-year-old were on display. The top of his casket was covered with wreaths and flowers.

Mandoza, whose real name was Mduduzi Tshabalala, discovered that his cancer had recurred almost two months ago, and had started chemotherapy a few weeks before his death. He had lost his sight in recent weeks.

Speaker after speaker remembered him as a devoted father and husband. Mandoza’s wife, Mpho, spoke of their last days together. “Last week Saturday, Mandoza could not eat the whole day. On the same night, he didn’t sleep; he was fighting for his life. He woke up at 5am and wished me a happy birthday,” she told mourners.

She said Mandoza told her: “Today I am going to give you a present which money cannot buy – I’m going to fight for my life.”

Mandoza died last Sunday.

Mpho also shared lighter moments, including the fact that when she first met her husband, she asked herself: Who is this thug?

Mpho and Mandoza married in 2002 and have three children: Tokollo, Tumelo and Karabo.

At the funeral, Mpho introduced Mandoza’s fourth son, Thapelo, from a previous relationship. “We’re Nkalakatha family,” she said, referring to Mandoza’s crossover hit, released in 2000.

Mandoza’s wife, Mpho, with her daughter Karabo PHOTO: LEON SADIKI
The casket, covered in flowers PHOTO: LEON SADIKI
Gospel singer Solly Mahlangu moved the mourners PHOTO: leon sadiki
Mourners included (from left) Doc Shebeleza, Idols judge Somizi Mhlongo and Mdu Masilela PHOTO: leon sadiki
Musicians, politicians and members of the public paid their last respects to Mandoza PHOTO: leon sadiki
Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula, Thabo “Tbo Touch” Molife and Thembinkosi “TK Nciza” PHOTO: leon sadiki
family farewell From left: Mandoza’s sons Tokollo and Thapelo, his daughter Karabo, his wife Mpho and son Tumelo pay tribute to the late kwaito star PHOTO: leon sadiki

Their eldest son Tokollo, joined by his siblings, introduced his tribute by telling mourners that he was “going to talk about my father’s dress sense”.

Pointing to a photograph of his father, he said: “I was the one who dressed him the day the photo was taken. My father had such style because I used to help him dress. Every time he would go to work, if I wasn’t around the house, he would call me and ask me what he should wear.”

Mpho also introduced mourners to a new artist, Pascal, who is signed with record label Nkalakatha Records. “We are building an empire. I will continue his legacy,” she said.

Meanwhile, former SABC chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng used the occasion to assure mourners he was “stress free”.

“If I was stressed, I would not be able to deliver what I want to deliver. Maybe you are stressed yourself, because Hlaudi is delivering. Even if I was an ordinary [SABC] employee, I would still deliver,” he said.

  • Talk to us: What are your enduring memories of Mandoza? SMS us on 35697 using the keyword FUNERAL. Please include your name and province. SMSes cost R1.50

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you believe that the various planned marches against load shedding will prompt government to bring solutions and resolve the power crisis?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes
20% - 103 votes
No
80% - 403 votes
Vote