SA gospel singer Malibongwe Gcwabe dies aged 55

The ‘Siyakudumisa’ singer passed away in hospital after a short illness on 13 May. Gcwabe was a pastor at the Remnant Ministries and a former member of the East London-based gospel group Youth With Mission.

Gcwabe’s daughter, Agape, shared the news on social media while the singer’s friend and promoter, Luckie Shongwe, told Sowetan Live that Gcwabe had an asthma attack, adding that Gcwabe was working on recording a COVID-19 song with fellow gospel singer Khanyisa Sabuka.

“We lost one of the greatest gospel musicians,” Shongwe said. “Malibongwe was a talented and dedicated artist. He was always willing to help poor people. As a result we were organising food parcels that he was going to donate. I saw him last week. He was fine and looking forward to completing the recording of the song. But I understand that he was rushed to hospital yesterday [Tuesday].”

Gospel singer Sipho Makhabane said: “I met Malibongwe when he was a member of the Youth With Mission gospel group. I realised that he was talented and we recorded his solo project. I was there when he got married and I sang at his wedding. He was a humble and down-the-earth person. He was dedicated to his work. As someone that I mentored, I was very happy with his progress as an artist.”

Gcwabe began his music career with Youth With Mission, which was formed in the mid-1990s. He recorded his debut album Umlilo KaJesu in 2003 under the Amanxusa Music label. He released six albums with Youth With Mission and launched a solo career afterwards. Some of his well-known songs include ‘Siyakudumisa’, ‘Taru Bawo’ and ‘Enkosi Bawo’.