Mandoza

Mduduzi Tshabalala was born in the Zola South section of Soweto, where he shared a house with his mother, his grandparents and two sisters. He never knew his father - his mother claimed that he was murdered in the same year that Mandoza was born. When he was 16 years old, he was charged with stealing a car and received a one-and-a-half year sentence, which he served in Diepkloof prison. Upon his release, Mandoza formed the group Chiskop along with three childhood friends, S’bu, Siphiwe and Sizwe. His talents were discovered by Arthur Mafokate, also known as the King of Kwaito. He was first played on air by DJ Sipho Mbatha (Sgqemeza) on what was known as Durban Youth Radio.

Mandoza used his music as a way to encourage young South Africans to achieve their goals. His song “Nkalatha” remains one of the biggest cross-over hits in the country. After countless hits and awards (including being voted as one of the Top 100 South Africans in 2004), he released 'So Fresh' in 2011 and 'Sgantsontso' in 2013.

At the time of his death on 18 September 2016, Mandoza had released 15 solo albums:

• 1999 9II5 Zola South
• 2000 Nkalakatha
• 2000: Nkalakatha (The Boss Remixes)
• 2001: It's All Right- with Tokollo and Kabelo
• 2002: Godoba
• 2003: Tornado
• 2004: S'gelekeqe
• 2004: Same Difference - (with Danny K)
• 2005: Phunyuka Bamphethe
• 2006: Ngalabesi
• 2007: Champion
• 2008: Ingwenya
• 2010: Real Deal
• 2011: So Fresh
• 2013: Sgantsontso