Famous rap star dies at 38 after battle with cancer (photos)

Mduduzi Edmund Tshabalala aka Mandoza is dead

South African kwaito music star, Mduduzi Edmund Tshabalala aka Mandoza, has passed on. He died yesterday, September 18th after a long battle with cancer, which had reportedly spread to his brain, leading him to lose his sight completely.

According to EWN Reporter, Mandoza could not breath well and was rushed to the hospital, where he died in the company of his wife, Mpho.

He was 38 years old.

Mandoza was born in 1978 in the Zola South section of Soweto, where he shared a house with his mother, his grandparents and two sisters. He never knew his father, his mother claiming that he was murdered the same year Mandoza was born.

When he was sixteen years old he was charged with stealing a car and received a one-and-a-half year sentence, which he served in Diepkloof prison. When he was released from prison, Mandoza formed the group Chiskop along with three childhood friends, S’bu, Siphiwe and Sizwe. His talents were discovered by Arthur Mafokate, also known as the King of Kwaito.

May his soul rest in peace.