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R/£ Tragedy could mean curtains for Mafikizolo
February 16, 2004 Edition -1
Solly Maphumulo
The future of multi-award- winning South African kwaito band Mafikizolo hangs in the balance following the murder of one of its lead singers.
Tebogo Madingoane was shot and killed in an apparent road rage incident in Soweto on Saturday morning. The second of the group's three lead singers, Nonhlanhla Mafu, is heavily pregnant and has been on maternity leave for the past few months.
This leaves only Theo Kgosinkwe to front the band.
"No one will be able to take Tebogo's place. Even if they find someone to replace him, Mafikizolo will never be the same again," said Castro Mkhize, one of the dancers in the group.
The manager of the group, Julius Mekwa, said Madingoane's death was a huge blow to the industry. He would not comment on the future of the group, saying only that a decision would be made later.
When The Star visited Madingoane's home in Meadowlands, Soweto, yesterday, it was evident that the ordeal has left artists, his fans and community members traumatised. Among those who paid their respects to the family were jazz legend Don Laka, and kwaito star and SABC television personality Zola.
Madingoane was apparently shot after he and some friends stopped a man who had skipped a red traffic light in Mooki Street, Orlando East.
The driver had driven off, and Madingoane, his female passenger and two friends in another vehicle followed him and managed to block the car. Madingoane got out of his vehicle and approached the driver.
Police said the driver pulled out a firearm and shot Madingoane in the chest. The driver ran to police officials at a nearby roadblock along the Soweto highway. They accompanied him to the scene, where Madingoane was found lying on the ground. Madingoane was rushed to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, where he was certified dead on arrival.
At Madingoane's home yesterday, his mother sat weeping with her head covered.
The musician's devastated uncle, Irvin Dire, said Madingoane had just returned from visiting his grandmother's grave in Rustenburg.
"He did not tell anyone why he visited the grave. I think something was telling him he was going to die.
"He loved music since he was a baby. While other children were playing, he would sing and dance."
Madingoane was about to buy a new house for his mother.
He joined Mafikizolo in 1996. Before that he was a dancer with Chicco Twala, a musician and producer.
The group are well known for their hit songs Ndihamba nawe and Kuguga Othandayo.
The group became popular after they released their album Sibongile in 2002. It became a hit almost overnight, with 200 000 copies being sold within three months.
Mafikizolo scooped three awards at the Metro FM Music Awards in November - best African pop, best album and best group.
Madingoane will be buried on Sunday.
Police have arrested a 32-year-old man in connection with his death. He was due to appear in Protea Magistrate's Court today.
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