Mduduzi Thembinkosi Edmund Tshabalala, known as Mandoza, was a South African singer born on January 17, 1978. After serving time in prison for car theft, he formed the group Chiskop and began his solo career with the album 9II5 Zola South in 1999. His breakthrough came with Nkalakatha in 2000, which sold 350,000 units and won multiple awards, including Song of the Year at the 2001 South African Music Awards. Mandoza's music often addressed social issues and inspired young South Africans. He collaborated with artists like Tokollo from Tkzee and DJ Cleo, and his hit singles included "Nkalakatha" and "Uzoyithola Kanjani". Mandoza died on September 18, 2016, after battling pharyngeal cancer. A biopic titled Nkalakatha: The Life of Mandoza premiered posthumously on BET in August 2023.
