Tumelo Tshabalala, the son of the late Kwaito star Mandoza, is following in his father’s footsteps as he pursues his passion for music. He recently participated in a music contest by MTN, a mobile network operator, that showcases young talents on social media.
He introduced himself as Harry, a rapper and producer from Soweto, who has released an album called Soweto’s Weapon on various online platforms. He also revealed that he is Mandoza’s son, and that he played his brother Tokollo in a biopic about his dad’s life, Nkalakatha: the Life of Mandoza, on BET.
He said he wanted to be part of the MTN Pulse and Slikour On Life initiative, which required contestants to post a 60 second video of their music and a 30 second video of their personality, using the hashtag MTNPulseVirals.
All the best to MANDOZA’s son, Tumelo Tshabalala aka HARRY. He’s just dropped his first album Soweto’s Weapon and is entering the @slikouron@MTNza#MTNPulseVirals reality show. The apple really didn’t fall far from the tree…Please RT for support 👊🏿🙏🏿 @TumeloT20934818pic.twitter.com/SvwlyxXutF
Mandoza, whose real name was Mduduzi Thembinkosi Edmund Tshabalala, died in September 2016 after battling brain cancer. He is set to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the upcoming South African Music Awards (SAMAs), which recognises artists who have made significant contributions to the South African music scene for at least 20 years.
Tumelo said he felt like he was living in a dream every day, seeing his father’s legacy being honoured. He also shared that his favourite song by his father was not the popular Nkalakatha, but Sikhathi Sewashi with Magesh, which has a message of valuing time and appreciating every moment.
