South African musician Mandoza is long dead. But if he could see from the dust, he would be more than proud to know that his legacy is still very much alive and humming, bringing him honour even in death. But then, his family is sad that he is not alive to receive the honours himself as she should.
Mandoza, whose birth name is Mduduzi Tshabalala, was presented with a posthumous award by the South African Music Awards (SAMA). For his contribution to South African music until his death, he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
His wife Mpho was on the ground to pick up the award on his behalf. She was somewhat emotional in her acceptance speech, speaking about the late musician’s life. She expressed a deep wish that he was not dead but alive with them – probably on the stage to accept the award himself.
But life had other plans. Mandoza died in 2015 of pharyngeal cancer. it was a big hit to the South African music industry, which continues to mourn him to this day.
By the way, the late Mandoza was also recently honoured when his “Nkalakatha” song was used to celebrate Springboks’ victory at the Rugby World Cup.
