Lead singer of legendary group Soul Brothers dies
It was also reported that, at the time of Masondo’s death, the band was working on their 39th studio album
DAVID Masondo, the lead singer of legendary Mbaqanga music group Soul Brothers, died on Sunday at the age of 65.
According to reports, Masondo passed away at the Garden City Hospital in Mayfair, Johannesburg.
The group’s manager, Bhodloza Nzimande, confirmed the death on Sunday, saying the band was still in shock.
It is still uncertain how the singer died.
“We are going to put our heads together and try to see how we can move on as a band. We need to take the right decision about the Soul Brothers. It won’t be the same without Masondo. He has left an indelible mark in the traditional music landscape,” said Nzimande during an interview with a top national news publication.
It was also reported that, at the time of Masondo’s death, the band was working on their 39th studio album. The album had planned collaborations with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Steve Kekana and Ihashi Elimhlophe.
President Jacob Zuma also paid tribute to the musician, calling him a global icon of our country.
“The whole nation mourns this talented icon of our country, whose music not only put South Africa on the global world stage, but also could be heard in the streets, in the valleys and all corners of our country. It was music for the whole family. May his soul rest in peace,” Zuma said.
Fans and fellow musicians, such as Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse and former Cosatu General Secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, also took some time out to say their final goodbyes on social media platform, Twitter.
Masondo was born in 1950 in Hammarsdale, a small town situated between Pietermaritzburg and Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. He started his music career doing small gigs in the township with a band called Groovy Boys.
He later co-founded Soul Brothers, which popularised Mbaqanga music across South Africa.
