Goodbye to a local legend
‘He respected his team, he concentrated on his craft and loved to perform’
JOHANNESBURG: The former manager of South African kwaito legend Mduduzi “Mandoza” Tshabalala described his former charge yesterday as a true professional who respected people.
“He respected all the individuals in his creative team, he knew where to fit in and concentrated on his craft, he loved to perform,” Vaughan Eaton said at a memorial service for the star, which took place at the Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg yesterday.
Mandoza, 38, died on Sunday after being diagnosed with brain cancer in 2015.
He reminisced of a moment when Mandoza asked to work in the office and even went out to buy new suits.
“He came in on day one, day two and on the third day I found him sleeping in his chair,” he said jokingly.
Eaton had organised counselling with Mandoza and his wife Mpho before his death.
“It was devastating seeing him that way, feeling around to try get a sense of what was going on around him.”
He said he recalled receiving a call from musician Bonginkosi “Zola” Dlamini, telling him to call Mandoza’s wife to check if everything was going well.
“I saw on social media a week before that Mandoza had died, and I called Mpho and she said everything was fine,” Eaton said.
He said Mandoza’s wife was in tears when he called her to confirm his death.
Eaton also urged young artists to learn from Mandoza and concentrate on what they were good, at and not try getting involved in all aspects of their career.