I woke up reading a Facebook headline saying Mandoza had died.
I immediately assumed Mduduzi Mandoza Tshabalala had died in a car accident of some sort because I really know very little about the Kwaito singer. But what I do know of him is probably his most famous song, Nkalakatha.
I know this song very well because it has been played at almost every party I have been to … ever! It was, and still is, a party staple. It brought so many people together, to sing, and to dance.
I remember being a guest at a friend’s wedding, where we kept waiting for that one song to start playing – that one song that just had something special, that uniqueness that brought everyone together on the dance floor.
The moment Nkalakatha began to play, the dance floor started to fill up, and I knew it was going to be a great night.
Thank you, Mandoza, for bringing your culture to my culture. Thank you for helping unite a nation.
After reading up about your passing, I feel truly sad. Sad because a South African icon like you could not get the treatment you needed from a state hospital while suffering from a brain tumor.
You brought a whole lot of sunshine to South Africa with your influential music.
My heartfelt condolences go out to your family – I will forever remember the joy you brought whenever that organ-tone intro of your song began to play … “Ngamtshela ngathi onomona akagcumele isigubu saMandoza.”
