Maskandi proponent falls silent

MQAPHELENI Khulekani Magubane, who was commonly known to his friends as Mafikela, was born on February 18 1967 at Thugela Ferry in KwaZulu-Natal.

He grew up at Msinga in Mahlaba under King Majozi. He came to Johannesburg seeking employment, and when he could not find a job he and his cousin Busani Khuzwayo formed a musical group called Unobizela in the 1990s.

In 1993 they formed another group called Izingane Zoma, and were later joined by another cousin and brother Shobeni Khuzwayo.

Magubane was one of the composers, singers and dancers for the group. He was also the founding member of the company Izingane Zoma Music Promotions.

He also worked with many maskandi groups under the company’s label. As a producer he worked with many other groups like AbakwaMlaba, AbaseMkhuze, Umdumazi, AmaNguni and Osaziwayo, to name just a few.

Izingane Zoma have released 23 albums, achieving triple platinum and gold status for some of them. Magubane passed away while they were busy recording their 24th album, where he composed six of the songs including the album title Safa Ikhwapha. Among the songs he composed were Ihleza and Ngizoba inhlekisa.

He died on November 11 after a short illness. He was also the elder brother to Mtekhala of Shwi no Mtekhala fame. He is survived by his mother, four brothers, five sisters, his wives and 16 children.