FROM PRISONER TO LEGEND OF KWAITO MUSIC
Born: January 19 1978 Died: September 18 2016 Funeral: September 23 2016 Burial: Westpark Cemetery
MDUDUZI Edmund Tshabalala, popularly known as Mandoza, was a kwaito legend from Zola in Soweto who had a successful music career and a fair share of controversies.
Sibanyoni was his real surname from his father’s side. However, his mother Nobesuthu Tshabalala and his father, who lived in nearby Jabulani, were never married. Consequently, firstborn Mandoza and his sisters Thobekile and Phindile grew up in the Tshabalala household in Zola 1.
He studied at Kholwane Primary School in Jabulani and proceeded to Siyalwini Higher Primary School in Sgodiphola, under the tutelage of his uncle Ngesi Tshabalala. He then went to Molapo Technical School, but his studies were cut short when he was arrested for car theft.
He was sentenced to one-and-ahalf year, which he served at the Johannesburg Prison.
After his release, he left Zola and lived with a relative at Fox Lake, Dlamini Extension 3, Soweto. According to his cousin Mpendulo Tshabalala, Mandoza tried to go back to school but life was hard. He then formed the group Chiskop along with three childhood friends – S’bu, Siphiwe and Sizwe. The group signed its first recording contract eight years after its formation and released its debut album Klaimer, later followed by Ghetto 2000. The group’s Uzoyithola Kanjani Uhleli Ekhoneni was its first popular and successful song. Despite this success, Mandoza went solo.
He subsequently released the album Nkalakatha in 2000, which won multi-platinum status. The title track became a crossover hit and reached the top of the charts on both traditionally black and white radio stations.
After three albums, another kwaito legend from Zola, Mdu Masilela, decided that one of them should change the name Mduduzi to something else because of growing competition. Mdu asked him to choose between “Mandoza” and Mduduzi, and the deceased settled for Mandoza, said Mpendulo.
“Because of his music, our sisters have degrees. He bought his mother a house in Pimville Zone 4, we also have other projects,” added Mpendulo.
Mandoza was married to Mpho Mphuthi and the two have three children – Tokollo, 16, Tumelo, 12, and Karabo, 7. Mpendulo said Mandoza loved his family, and would be found where there was entertainment and comedy. Rest in peace Nkalakatha. Mandoza will be buried today at the Westpark Cemetery after a service at Grace Bible Church in Pimville, Soweto, starting at 8am.