Ukhozi FM station manager and radio DJ Welcome Bhodloza Nzimande.
FORMER Ukhozi FM DJ and station manager Welcome “Bhodloza” Nzimande has died.
The legendary DJ, who was also known as Ingulube Encane and Imbodlomane, died in the early hours of Friday (15 January) after a short illness.
The news of his passing was announced on air by Ukhozi FM’s acting station manager Sbongi Ngcobo.
Bhodloza joined the station in 1978 as a radio DJ and spent 19 years behind the mic before he became a station manager for 13 years.
The legendary DJ, who was also known as Ingulube Encane and Imbodlomane, died in the early hours of Friday (15 January) after a short illness.
The news of his passing was announced on air by Ukhozi FM’s acting station manager Sbongi Ngcobo.
Bhodloza joined the station in 1978 as a radio DJ and spent 19 years behind the mic before he became a station manager for 13 years.
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He took early retirement in 2010. Bhodloza, who also presented SABC1’s Ezodumo with Thuso Motaung, has always been praised for his role in promoting traditional music.
Sbongi said she was sad to hear the news of Bhodloza’s passing as many radio DJs and station managers looked up to him.
“I will remember when I used to ask him for advice about the station as an acting manager and he always used to laugh at me before saying anything.
“I will forever remember the launch we had with him last year November. We had told him he was welcome to give us advise after his retirement as the station manager.
“Bhodloza groomed many radio DJs. I send my condolences to his family for this shocking passing,” she said.
Family spokesman Zama Nomnganga told Daily Sun Bhodloza was rushed to hospital in the early hours of this morning (Friday) after a short illness.
“Unfortunately he didn’t make it and left us. We don’t have any further comment at the moment,” he said.
The midday show called Jabulujule hosted Dudu Khoza cancelled its features and it was turned into the Bhodloza Nzimande tribute show.
Minister of Art and Culture Nathi Mthethwa, former station manager Reverent Hawu Mbatha, KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala and many more were given a chance to pay tribute to him.
Mthethwa said Bhodloza is the father of traditional music, especially isicathamiya and maskandi.
“Bhodloza played a big role for five-time Grammy-award winners Ladysmith Black Mambazo to be known and travel overseas to get many awards. He also developed maskandi music to the highest level where it won Ukhozi FM Ingoma Ehlukanisa Unyaka,” said the minister.
“Bhodloza made maskandi music stylish and made its lovers proud of it as they are now called Amabhinca,” he said.
Reverend Mbatha, who’s also Ukhozi FM’s former station manager, said they arrived with Bhodloza at the station in 1978 as news bulletin readers.
“Bhodloza showed us he was more passionate about traditional music and he started to focus on it,” he said.
“I will remember when I used to ask him for advice about the station as an acting manager and he always used to laugh at me before saying anything.
“I will forever remember the launch we had with him last year November. We had told him he was welcome to give us advise after his retirement as the station manager.
“Bhodloza groomed many radio DJs. I send my condolences to his family for this shocking passing,” she said.
Family spokesman Zama Nomnganga told Daily Sun Bhodloza was rushed to hospital in the early hours of this morning (Friday) after a short illness.
“Unfortunately he didn’t make it and left us. We don’t have any further comment at the moment,” he said.
The midday show called Jabulujule hosted Dudu Khoza cancelled its features and it was turned into the Bhodloza Nzimande tribute show.
Minister of Art and Culture Nathi Mthethwa, former station manager Reverent Hawu Mbatha, KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala and many more were given a chance to pay tribute to him.
Mthethwa said Bhodloza is the father of traditional music, especially isicathamiya and maskandi.
“Bhodloza played a big role for five-time Grammy-award winners Ladysmith Black Mambazo to be known and travel overseas to get many awards. He also developed maskandi music to the highest level where it won Ukhozi FM Ingoma Ehlukanisa Unyaka,” said the minister.
“Bhodloza made maskandi music stylish and made its lovers proud of it as they are now called Amabhinca,” he said.
Reverend Mbatha, who’s also Ukhozi FM’s former station manager, said they arrived with Bhodloza at the station in 1978 as news bulletin readers.
“Bhodloza showed us he was more passionate about traditional music and he started to focus on it,” he said.
