Singer Mapaputsi has died (Gallo Images/Oupa Bopape)
- Kwaito legend Mapaputsi died at his family home in Zola, Soweto.
- His family shared a statement with News 24, saying he died after a short illness.
- The musician won multiple awards for his debut album, Izinja.
In the early 2000s, while watching music shows like One, it was hard not to miss the guy who came in and made Kwaito look cool. Although others were there, this one was quite different. He was very deliberate about the storytelling in his music, and the videos were cooler than cool.
Manga Manga Business is the song that introduced me to the legend. I was in primary school, and I had no business enjoying Kwaito, but it was catchy. I loved the lines, but I didn’t understand the language back then, so all I could do was bump my head while the song played on the radio and in people’s cars.
The family of Kwaito legend Mapaputsi, real name Sandile Ngwenya, announced on Friday that the musician had died.
In an official statement shared with News24, the family confirmed that the Izinja hitmaker died due to an undisclosed illness on Thursday night.
“The family of the South African Kwaito legend Sandile Ngwenya, popularly known as Mapaputsi, are saddened to confirm to the media and public the passing of their son Mapaputsi.”
“Mapaputsi met his untimely death in the late hours of Thursday, 5 September 2024, after a short illness.”
Mapaputsi’s debut album Izinja secured him Best Kwaito Artist and Best Kwaito Song at the Metro FM Awards in 2002 and Best Kwaito Song and Best Music Video accolades at the SA Music Awards in 2003.
He had two other albums: Still Barking and Last Man Standing.
In an interview on Kaya 959, the musician reflected on the genre’s leaps and bounds, saying it will always be around.
“Kwaito is always there; Kwaito will never die. It liberated our country. We are what we are because of Kwaito music; it is our culture; it’s a movement.”
Here are the top songs that are engraved in the minds of those who love the legend’s music:
IZINJA
There’s no talking about Mapaputsi without mentioning this song. This break-out hit, produced by David Campas, was accompanied by a music video that made South Africa stand up and take notice of the musician. With his album, he won multiple awards at the Metro FM Music Awards.
MY LOVE
When he came into the music industry, repping the ‘Tsotsi case Zola’ vibe, his music was fast-paced; with this song, the musician showed his musical versatility by making this slow R&B jam about love and heartbreak.
KLEVA
Released in 2003 and produced by D-REX, this song launched Mapaputsi’s ‘iKleva ye game’. In townships, when this name is given to you, it means you are street smart or book smart, but in this instance, it meant he was the king of beats. Mapaputsi oozed cool, and this song enforced what he kept saying: that he was the next best thing to come onto the scene in the early 2000s.
NANGU UMAPAPUTSI
The musician also dabbled in reggae in his music. This song, like the one with R&B elements, showed that he understood that Kwaito could blend with other genres; it was not a limiting sound.
MANGA MANGA BUSINESS
The hit song was on the musician’s debut album, a subtle clap-back song to those who were coming at him sideways. Just like rap, there are always territorial tiffs among musicians, and with this song, he was telling those running their mouths that he was not one to be played with. Mapaputsi was consistent with his street-cred image, which he repped with his music.
WOZA FRIDAY
Released from his 2004 Last Man Standing album, this is a get-up-and-go weekend song. This party song was a popular dance song in the social scene in the early 2000s.
KAS’LAM
The Kwaito Legend, who was born and raised in Zola, a township that has produced many Kwaito musicians, also ensured to highlight his lifestyle, culture, fashion, and everything else associated with township swag.
