Maskandi genre has lost a legend, Shaluza Max Mntambo died at his home after collapsing due to kidney failure on Thursday January 2.

Max will be remembered by many as one of the talented musician who collaborated with the best musicians in South Africa including the late Zim Nqawana, Busi Mhlongo and Wendy Mseleku to name but the few. His solo album – Kusile was phenomenal, also the song, Impilo was loved by many.

Fans all over the world mourn his passing. One of his fans, Simphiwe Skhakhane who has since changed his facebook profile picture to Shaluza Max was shocked by the news. “Kwenzakaleni (what happened),” was his first utterance. “Gone too soon,” he said.

Max will be remembered for his brand of maskandi music which carried tribal traditions with healing and spiritual undercurrents into present-day sounds.