The late Kwaito legend, Mduduzi "Mandoza" Tshabalala's son is keeping his father's legacy alive by following in the late icon's footsteps. Tumelo Tshabalala (19) who is currently studying sound engineering, is pursuing a music career as a hip-hop artist.

LIKE FATHER LIKE SON

Tumelo recently released his first hip-hop single, Shiya, from the forthcoming EP. Mandoza's widow, Mpho Tshabalala couldn't contain her joy. She confirmed to ZiMoja that Tumelo has taken the baton from his father, but there were strict conditions to his recording."Our agreement was that he needed to finish matric first before venturing into music. I am thankful that he honoured our agreement before he released his music," Mpho said. Despite being a single mother, Mpho says she made sure that she instilled discipline in all her three children. Meanwhile, Mpho says their eldest son, Tokollo, stays overseas where he is pursuing a course in sports management.

BECOMING MANDOZA

During the peak of his music career, Mandoza was one of the most famous artists to come out of South Africa with his crossover music that appealed to different people. A group member of kwaito outfit, Chiskop, Mandoza went solo and became an instant star by winning countless music awards and selling hundreds of thousands of records in the early 2000s. He released massive hits with songs like Nkalakatha, Godoba, and Jerusalema, where he featured Afro-pop sensation, Ringo, and gospel outfit, Avante. Mandoza died in September 18, 2016, after a brief struggle with brain cancer. He was 38 when he passed on. Mandoza and Mpho got married in a traditional wedding in 2002 after dating for four years. They sealed their union with a white wedding in January 2008.