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WATCH: Mandoza’s son introduces himself to the industry in music talent competition
Mandoza’s son Tumelo Tshabalala also featured in a BET biopic about his father, portraying the character of his older brother, Tokollo.
Kwaito legend Mandoza with a young Tumelo Tshabalala, his son, who is now also pursuing a music career. Picture: @ThabisoMosia/Twitter
The proverb which says an apple does not fall far from the tree fittingly describes Tumelo Tshabalala, who is the son of Kwaito legend Mandoza. The legend’s son is also pursuing a career in music as he entered a music competition.
All the best to MANDOZA's son, Tumelo Tshabalala aka HARRY. He's just dropped his first album Soweto's Weapon and is entering the @slikouron @MTNza #MTNPulseVirals reality show. The apple really didn't fall far from the tree…Please RT for support 👊🏿🙏🏿 @TumeloT20934818 pic.twitter.com/SvwlyxXutF
— Tracksuit (@ThabisoMosia) November 10, 2023
“My name is Tumelo Tshabalala, I go by the name of Harry, I’m a rapper slash producer from Soweto. I’ve got an album out called Soweto’s Weapon, it’s on all digital streaming platforms,” said Tshabalala introducing himself on social media.
A music competition by cellular network provider MTN gives young hopeful musos a chance at making it through social media.
The now closed competition encouraged aspiring musos to upload a 60 second video of their music on their socials, accompanied by a 30 second video showing off their personality and then tagging Slikour on Life and the network provider, using the hashtag MTNPulseVirals.
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“I’ve gained a bit of a following from my acting endeavours; I’ve played my brother in BET biopic about my dad, Mandoza. Yes, Mandoza’s my dad, surprisingly. MTN Pulse and Slikour On Life are doing a bit of a thing and I’m trying to be a part of it,” he said.
Born Mduduzi Thembinkosi Edmund Tshabalala, Mandoza passed away in September 2016 after succumbing to brain tumour cancer. He will be honoured with a Lifetime Achuievement Award at this year’s South African Music Awards (SAMAs).
The Lifetime Achievement Awards honours artists who have made outstanding contributions to the South African music industry over a minimum of 20 years.
Mandoza’s biopic
The young Tshabalala, Tumelo, was part of BET’s biopic based on his father’s life titled, Nkalakatha: the Life of Mandoza. Tumelo played the character of Tokollo, who is his older brother.
“It doesn’t feel real, it just feels like another dream that I’ve been waking up to every single day,” said Tumelo when asked how it feels to have his dad’s life depicted.
Unlike most South Africans, the lad said Nkalakatha was not his favourite song from his father’s thick catalogue. “Not Nkalakatha, it’s not. I’d say Sikhathi Sewashi with Magesh, that’s my favourite song. Basically the message, it’s telling you that time is of the essence, appreciate every moment that you have.”
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