It was the worst of times, it was the best of times – a veritable Dickensian moment for many on this continent as fears about the new millennium, rapture and epidemics collided with disillusionment about postcolonialism.
The mood might have been tense, ebullient and sometimes tinged with superstition about the world ending in 2000. But we were also swelling in the pride that comes with freedom and Constitutional Democracy.
1999.
The late and great statesman Nelson Mandela refuses to hold on to power indefinitely and South Africa has its second democratic elections.
We celebrate this feat. No blood shed, no coup. Kwaito blares from stereos, CD players, cassettes and juke boxes across the region and becomes an epoch-defining genre – one that takes us safely across to a new millennium.
As Mandoza’s wife, Mpho Tshabalala, prepares to accept the late kwaito star's Lifetime Achievement Award at the South African Music Awards this weekend, she cannot help but remember those days with an acute sense of pain.
In the year 2000, the late musician's hit, Nkalankatha, became what would be called a "viral hit" in this era. 2000 was also this same year that he made a clean sweep at the SAMAs.
Twenty-three years later, it is his widow who will receive his posthumous Lifetime Achievement Awards. While others may argue and say he could’ve gotten the award while he was alive, his family says they believe that God’s timing is always on time.
Speaking to Drum while preparing for the big day, Mpho says everything that is currently happening feels like déjà vu. As she is putting the final touches to her outfits, she has memories of Mandoza preparing for the SAMAs in 2000.
This year feels like Mandoza’s year again, but the only difference is that he is not around to celebrate with his family.
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“The day Mduduzi became a superstar it was hectic. It felt exactly like this year, and I think he was feeling like I am feeling right just that he was the talent, and he was a star. Receiving this award this year is all God and his timing. God knows why it didn’t happen while he was still alive or in the past few years but must happen now when everything is coming together. The biopic, look at just what happened with the Springbok, Nkalakatha just surfaced amid Sister Bettina because that is a crossover song. And that was a very emotional moment for me, it took me back to when the song became a hit song.”
“Mduduzi was all about outfits, that is all that mattered to him every time he attended awards shows. Two days before the ceremony he would have shown me all the outfits, our hair and nails would be done, and he would pick the car we’d be driving on the day. His energy was always high whenever he attended the awards shows, he knew he would come back home with something. He never prepared any speeches; he always spoke from the heart. When he came back home, he would show his boys and tell them that when they worked hard, they would get rewards, after that we headed to Zola, and he always said that all his awards are for every child from Zola who has big dreams.”
She says she will do the same thing that her late husband did, she will look the part, represent her husband, and make him proud.
“I always say that he is not sleeping but his spirit has always been there, he is still at work. I wish he was here with us so that he can hold this trophy, but I am a person who accepts situations the way they are. I would’ve appreciated it if he was still alive, but know he’ll be with us in spirit.”
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Mpho who has been keeping her husband’s legacy alive for years says the award comes at the perfect time because before the year ends, they will be launching Mandoza’s merchandise.
“We have a collaboration with Mr Price on 1 December the t-shirts will be in stores. We are starting with t-shirts. So, this is the reminder that God is with us, and when I get to the podium to represent my husband, I will remember what this year has been like. And thank my husband because that award is not mine, but I am accepting it on his behalf. This award, as he would say belongs to Zola as a township that inspired him to become the artist that he was. His music is inspired by where he comes from, and he never forgot where he came from.”
