South African indigenous musician Madosini dies

The revered indigenous musician, who would have been 79 on Christmas Day, passed away on Friday 23 December at St Mary’s Hospital in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, after battling various ailments, her family said.

“Having survived a heart attack while she was on a tour in France in 2019, as well as two COVID-19 attacks, her health status could not be back to its normalcy, as a result from time to time she was admitted to hospital,” a statement reads. “She was admitted to St Mary’s Hospital on 3 December 2022 where she subsequently succumbed to death at 4.15pm on 23 December 2022.”

Madosini has been described as a guardian of traditional Xhosa music and was hailed in Africa and around the world for her mastery of the uhadi (music bow), umrhumbe (mouth bow) and isitolotolo (jaw harp) instruments. After making a few great but obscure recordings in the mid-1970s, she disappeared into the then Transkei region. In 1995, she was visited by Amampondo founding members Dizu Plaatjies and Mzwandile Qotoyi, who invited her to work together on an indigenous album comprising Amampondo members and Cuban master Congalero Changuito.

Her solo album Power to the Women, released in 1998, placed her among the world music stars of the day. In 2008, she was the first person to be recorded and documented for WOMAD festival’s Musical Elders Archives project, and in early September 2022, Madosini received an honorary doctorate degree from Rhodes University for her “sustained and exceptional contribution in the Xhosa culture, through the preservation and popularising of the isiXhosa musical bows uhadi and umrhubhe.”

“My mother was a loving person and enjoyed sharing her knowledge of indigenous music with everyone,” her daughter, Phumza Mpahleni, was quoted as saying by Sowetan Live. “But she was worried that if she dies, indigenous music will die in this country. That is why she wanted everyone to come and get that knowledge from her.”

Madosini’s family said the musician’s funeral would be held in her homestead in Mkhankatho Administrative Area in Libode, about 42km from Mthatha, and added that the date of the ceremony would likely be 7 January.

Tributes have been pouring in after the legend’s death, including from the South African Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, the Southern African Music Rights Organisation and Concerts SA.

“We are devastated to hear of the passing of Dr Latozi ‘Madosini’ Mpahleni,” the National Arts Festival wrote on Facebook. “A legendary South African musician who would always regale her audience with naughty anecdotes and jokes between her hauntingly beautiful pieces ... We wish her loved ones, followers and fans our condolences and take heart that together we have the many recordings and treasured moments collected over her astonishing career. An extraordinary artist from a different time and place who brought her gifts to the world. Thank you Madosini, rest well.”