MTHANDENI Manqele is gearing up to showcase his dominance, not only in the maskandi music scene but also in the boxing ring.
The Paris hitmaker will battle it out in the ring against hip-hop star Cassper Nyovest.
The eagerly awaited match, set to light up Durban in two months' time, is already talk of social media.
A fight for respect
At 35, Mthandeni views the upcoming fight as a pathway to earning respect among his peers.
He recalled the time in his youth when he herded cattle.
He told Daily Sun that when he first learned to fight, the foundation for his current confidence was laid.
"Angiyona into yokudlala mina (I'm not someone to mess with)," said Manqele.
The star remained tight-lipped about the fight details due to contractual obligations.
Post-fight plans: A maskandi showdown
Following the fight, Mthandeni has ambitious plans to take on other maskandi artists, aiming to establish himself as the undisputed "king" of the genre.
While he has identified potential challengers, he opted to keep their identities private for now.
"But after the match, I'll deal with other maskandi artists one-by-one. I want to fight them. Actually, beat them and make them know that I'm untouchable, and I'm their king. They'll respect me whether they like it, or not," he said.
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Staying true to himself
Despite him always making headlines over fights with other artists, Mthandeni insists his primary goal is to entertain.
He said he draws inspiration from maskandi legend Mtshengiseni Gcwensa.
His confrontations with other artists, including Khuzani Mpungose and Ukhozi FM DJ Zimiphi Biyela, show his vocal and uncompromising nature.
"I speak the truth. I'm vocal about what I believe in. That's why people think I'm aggressive but I'm not. All I do is entertain my fans," said Mthandeni.
Confirmed by Nyovest
The fight's confirmation came from Cassper Nyovest himself during the L-Tido podcast on 1 May 2024.
However, specifics about the venue and date are yet to be announced, leaving fans in suspense.
Cassper has challenged a number of other celebrities to a match, including singer Naak Musiq and rapper Priddy Ugly.
Daily Sun's attempts to reach Cassper's management were unsuccessful.
