This was confirmed by both family and manager Thandoxulo Jindela, following the memorial service held at Newtown on Wednesday.
Born Nomasonto Maswanganyi, the flamboyant “Mshoza” passed away in hospital on 19 November 2020, with her manager saying she was receiving treatment at a hospital in Gauteng prior to her untimely passing.
Although unconfirmed, she was diabetic and she was treating it at the time of her death.
Controversial for her on and off relationships, she will be remembered for a hit Kortes in 2000 and debut album Bulldawgz First Lady, another iconic record in the country. Another banger Abantu Bam followed.
She also made headlines for quotations: “I do not need hype for my music, as I create classic hits. I was a superstar way before ‘hype’ was a thing. I use social media platforms to get across some truth about me and sometimes it shakes up the country,” she said.
In the video that had the country talking, “Mshoza” issued a warning to potential suitors not to bother texting her if they have less than a million in their accounts.
“You can’t come to me honestly and expect that you will give me R5,000 as a girlfriend allowance. I mean, my monthly face cream alone is R6,000. So you can’t think that you are going to walk around telling people that I’m your woman when you give me R5,000. No. Please think about it,” she was quoted unapologetically.
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture issued a statement last week, stating: “Mshoza was one of the country’s most exceptional artists. She will be remembered as one of the major prominent musicians of her generation.
“The nation watched as her star shined brighter and as she rose to greater heights, thus making the news of her passing even more overwhelming.”
Due to Covid-19 regulations, the service will be live-streamed on YouTube and other social platforms that would enable thousands of her fans wish goodbyes virtually.
She is survived by her two children, Pride and Jacob Jnr, as well as two sisters.
Rest in Peace Mshoza!
Image (The beat has stopped. Mshoza will be buried on Saturday at WestPark Cemetery.)
