Mduduzi Tshabalala (born 17 January 1978), also known as Mandoza, was a multiple-award-winning South African singer and songwriter. He contributed to the Kwaito music genre throughout his lifetime and dropped many hit singles.
The singer and his friends, S’bu, Siphiwe, and Siszwe, created a group called Chiskop after his release from prison.
| Mandoza | |
|---|---|
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| Background Information | |
| Full name: | Mduduzi Thembinkosi Edmund Tshabalala |
| Other name: | Mandoza |
| Born: | 17 January 1978 |
| Place of birth: | Soweto, South Africa |
| Died: | 18 September 2016 (age 38 years old) |
| Resting place: | Westpark Cemetery, Bloemhof |
| Nationality: | South African |
| Spouse: | Mpho Mputhi Tshabalala (m. 2002 – 2016) |
| Children: | 4 |
| Occupation: | Musical artist, songwriter, record producer |
| Genres: | Kwaito, hip hop |
| Instrument: | Vocals |
| Years active: | 1990s–2016 |
| Labels: | 999 Music Records, EMI Records, CCP Record |
Early life
Mandoza was born Mduduzi Tshabalala on 17 January 1978 in a township in Soweto called Zola. His sisters, mother, and grandparents lived there. He never knew or met his biological father, and his mother kept telling him that he died in 1978.
The Kwaito recording artist served a year and six months sentence in Diepkloof Prison. He went to jail at sixteen for stealing a car in 1994.
Career
Music
Mduduzi Tshabalala left prison after completing his sentence. He and his friends from childhood, S’bu, Siphiwe, and Sizwe, created the group Chiskop. Their performance caught the attention of Arthur Mafokate.
Chiskop signed its first record contract after eight years. Their first album was Akusheshi, and their second album was Relax (1997). Through his style of music, he makes great efforts to make Kwaito inspirational.
His music inspired and encouraged many young South Africans to achieve their goals. He gave credit to Glenn Morris for helping him during his early years of drug use.
Their group recorded many achievements. Eventually, Mduduzi Tshabalala launched a solo career. He dropped the album 9II5 Zola South in 1999. It sold over 100,000 units and earned him a 2000 FNB South African Music Awards Best Newcomer nomination.
Mandoza dropped another album, Nkalakatha, in 2000. It sold over 350,000 copies and won multi-platinum status. He won five of the ten categories at the 2001 Metro Music Awards.
Mduduzi Tshabalala bagged the Best Artist – Southern Africa category at the Kora All Africa Music Awards.
The kwaito singer participated in a documentary film titled SHARP! SHARP! – the Kwaito story in 2003. He was the 77th in the Top 100 Great South Africans in 2004.
Following an announcement in 2005, he would play a major supporting role in a rugby union-themed feature film, Number 10.
Mandoza sang in many languages, such as English, Afrikaans, Zulu, and Xhosa. He collaborated with Croatian rock singer Dino Jelusic on In Our Blood. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 1st ceremony of Mzansi Kwaito and House Music Awards.
Personal Life
Family
Mandoza and his wife, Mpho Tshabalala, got married in 2002. They began dating in 1998 and had a traditional wedding after four years.
The couple had three biological children – Tokollo, Tumelo, and Karabo. Mandoza had another child, Thapelo, with another woman outside marriage.
His eldest son, Tokollo Tshabalala, flew to the United States to start a new life. Mpho is the executive producer for his biopic, Nkalakatha: The Life of Mandoza.
Cause of Death
Mandoza had lost his eyesight due to the cancer in his brain before he died on 18 September 2016. He battled with pharyngeal cancer before his death.
His memorial service was at the Ellis Park Arena, formally known as The Standard Bank Arena. His funeral service was at funeral service at the Grace Bible Church in Soweto.
Mandoza succumbed to his long battle with cancer after he was diagnosed with a brain tumor in May 2015. His final resting place is at Westpark Cemetery, Bloemhof.
Awards
2001
- South African Music Awards (SAMA) Song of the Year for Nkalakatha
- South African Music Awards (SAMA Best Kwaito Album
- Metro FM Music Awards Best Kwaito Artist
- Metro FM Music Awards Best Male Vocalist
- Metro FM Music Awards Best Album
- Metro FM Music Awards Best Styled Artist
- Metro FM Music Awards Song of the Year
- Kora All Africa Music Awards Best Artist, Southern Africa
2002
- South African Music Awards (SAMA) Best Music Video For Godoba
- South African Music Awards (SAMA) Song of the Year For Godoba
2006
- Channel O Musical Video Awards, Best Collaboration Video (“Music”) (with Danny K)
2012
- Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMAS) Best Music Video With Ees
- Channel O Musical Video Awards Best Kwaito Award For Ayoba With Ees
2013
- Nominated For Best Kwaito Album Sgantsontso
2023
- South African Music Awards (SAMA) Lifetime Achievement Award