The gravel-voiced crooner was a highly decorated SA Music Award winner taking home top honours including best producer with his own projects.
Robbie Malinga composed, arranged, produced or sang and sometimes would do all four as a mark of his versatility.
A lot of musicians owe their success to his magic touch.
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“We send our condolences to his family, especially his wife Ann and the two children. We also sympathise with Malinga’s collaborators and colleagues in the music business,” said the Recording Industry of South Africa CEO, Nhlanhla Sibisi.
“Our hearts also go out to the legions of fans who he has given countless soundtracks of their lives. He was unwell for the past year and he succumbed to ill health on Christmas Day.”
“To say Malinga’s death is a loss would be an understatement. He was one of the best this country has ever produced.”
He was one of the most sought-after hitmakers in this country.
“His death is a definite end of an era and a sound we will not forget soon. We can never tell the South African music story without giving him a prominent mention,” said Sibisi.
Malinga who is from Meadowlands, Soweto started his career in the 90s playing keyboard for bubblegum musician Freddie Gwala of Amadamara fame and the group Platform 1.
He was one of the kwaito pioneers with his group Vardos from the East Rand. His solo outing Insimbi placed him in the top league of the genre. He was also known as Insimbi.
He teamed up with Doc Shebeleza to start RoboDoc in 1999 producing monster hits like “Ebumnandini” and “Skumfete”.
As a producer he contributed in shaping careers of artists like Zahara, Brickz, Brown Dash, Kabelo Mabalane, Arthur Mafokate, Ntando, Nhlanhla Nciza, Izinyoka, Mzekezeke and Sbu of Amalawyer fame.
He also helped discover Malaika.
Malinga worked with Lebo M to remix Lion King to Umhlaba Wabantu for local audiences.
He also produced Bhakaniya, the Orlando Pirates theme song for their 70th celebration.
He also lent his magic to superstar group Stimela, the late great Jabu Khanyile and gospel veteran Deborah Fraser.
Some of his more recent hits include duets with musicians Naima Kay (“Sokwenzenjani” and “Sweetie Lavo”), Kelly Khumalo (“Sobabili” and “Baby Please”), Musa Sukwene (“Mthande”) and Karabo Mogane (“Sondela”).
He was also the winner of the Mzansi Magic talent show Clash of the Choirs in 2015 where he represented KwaZulu-Natal.
We honour you, Robbie Malinga.
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