Condolences pour in for SA kwaito star

Upon hearing the news of Tholo’s death, South African Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthetwa tweeted:

We send our sincere condolences to the family and friends of a sensational avant-garde of Kwaito, Tsekeleke, who has sadly passed on. pic.twitter.com/lCa85jZNPJ

— Min. Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA) August 1, 2017

Tholo’s fans also reacted to the news of his death on social media by remembering his larger-than-life personality.

#Tsekeleke once said he survives on : 1 loaf of bread,1 full chicken & a 2 litre Coke every day#RIPTsekeleke

— Mzansi Facts (@mzansi_facts) August 2, 2017

The tweet by @mzansi_facts is one that would usually come up whenever Tholo’s name was mentioned in conversions. Tholo had battled with obesity for a number of years.

Speaking about the reach of the ‘Fatty Boom Boom’ hitmaker’s music, another Twitter user said:

#Tsekeleke brought colour and flavour in the township. My mom and I both use to dance to his music #RIP

— Zola Lasmisi (@zola360degrees) August 2, 2017

Social media users also took time to highlight the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices:

People should learn from #tsekeleke's death weight is a killer sugar and alcohol are no good

— OneThendo♡♧♥ (@Thendoallen) August 2, 2017

Fam, the death of #Tsekeleke is yet more reason why @heala_SA's campaign for a strong sugary drinks tax is important https://t.co/1uW4wMzTVT

— Amandla! (@AmandlaMobi) August 2, 2017

Former Trompies member Eugene Mthethwa spoke to Music In Africa about his shared memories with Tholo. “There was a time we played in Cape Town,” Mthethwa said. “We lost each other in the venue and got held up by thugs with knives who forced us to perform all night, because they couldn’t leave the venue until the morning.” Mthetwa described Tholo’s death as unfortunate.

Tsekeleke released Fattis and Monis in 2008 under Universal Music Group. The album featured songs such as ‘Fatty Boom Boom’. Tholo also collaborated with Msawawa on the song ‘Big & Small’.

In 2016, Tholo’s toes were amputated when he developed peripheral artery disease. “I would rather die than have my leg amputated,” he told the Sunday World before the procedure. Doctors performed four more amputations on his leg thereafter, the last of them a day before he passed away.