By Matthew Roscoe • Updated: 15 Aug 2022 • 15:28
Kwaito musician and TKZee member Tokollo ‘Magesh’ dies 'in his sleep' aged 45. Image: @BongzaLa/Twitter
According to local media reports, 45-year-old Tokollo ‘Magesh’, a member of South African kwaito music group TKZee, passed away in his sleep.
TKZee, which was formed in the 1990s by three school friends, shot to prominence in late 1997 and early 1998 with their chart-topping singles “Phalafala” and “Shibobo” and the loss of ‘Magesh’ has been widely mourned.
One person wrote on Twitter: “RIP Tokollo Magesh. Leader of the greatest Kwaito group ever!”
RIP Tokollo Magesh. Leader of the greatest Kwaito group ever! — Trev (@Tokyo_Trev) August 15, 2022
RIP Tokollo Magesh. Leader of the greatest Kwaito group ever!
— Trev (@Tokyo_Trev) August 15, 2022
Another said: “RIP: Tokollo Magesh Tshabalala. Former TKZee member and a Kwaito legend has passed away.”
RIP: Tokollo Magesh Tshabalala Former TKZee member and a Kwaito legend has passed away. #RIPMagesh #RIPTokolloTshabalala pic.twitter.com/vfHilT4MJP — Kgopolo (@PhilMphela) August 15, 2022
RIP: Tokollo Magesh Tshabalala
Former TKZee member and a Kwaito legend has passed away. #RIPMagesh #RIPTokolloTshabalala pic.twitter.com/vfHilT4MJP
— Kgopolo (@PhilMphela) August 15, 2022
“RIP Magesh!🕊” said another.
RIP Magesh!🕊 pic.twitter.com/o8D3XKQeKz — Mthuthuzeli Mpiti (@mtura712) August 15, 2022
RIP Magesh!🕊 pic.twitter.com/o8D3XKQeKz
— Mthuthuzeli Mpiti (@mtura712) August 15, 2022
While another person said: “The one time I ever experienced TKZee live was in Botswana (Magesh’s first time back after his infamous accident). Man, I was soooo happy – experiencing them with a new bae also didn’t hurt. #RIPMagesh”
The one time I ever experienced TKZee live was in Botswana (Magesh's first time back after his infamous accident). Man, I was soooo happy – experiencing them with a new bae also didn't hurt. #RIPMagesh — L. ShaBars (@makheswa) August 15, 2022
The one time I ever experienced TKZee live was in Botswana (Magesh's first time back after his infamous accident). Man, I was soooo happy – experiencing them with a new bae also didn't hurt. #RIPMagesh
— L. ShaBars (@makheswa) August 15, 2022
“I loved Magesh’s specificity in his lyrics. That guy was Soweto to the bone marrow. He mentioned places and people’s names,” wrote another.
I loved Magesh’s specificity in his lyrics. That guy was Soweto to the bone marrow. He mentioned places and people’s names. — Playboi Khanki (@litha_gogela) August 15, 2022
I loved Magesh’s specificity in his lyrics. That guy was Soweto to the bone marrow. He mentioned places and people’s names.
— Playboi Khanki (@litha_gogela) August 15, 2022
“We are saddened by the passing of Magesh. Strength and prayers to his family and loved ones,” said another.
We are saddened by the passing of Magesh. Strength and prayers to his family and loved ones.#RIPMagesh pic.twitter.com/wZTyEif3t3 — Kasi Economy (@KasiEconomy) August 15, 2022
We are saddened by the passing of Magesh. Strength and prayers to his family and loved ones.#RIPMagesh pic.twitter.com/wZTyEif3t3
— Kasi Economy (@KasiEconomy) August 15, 2022
One person said: “Magesh, tsotsi from kofifi. One of the realist kwaito pioneers. Rest in peace KING. 💔💔💔”
Magesh, tsotsi from kofifi. One of the realist kwaito pioneers. Rest in peace KING. 💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/dYNdfs2a59 — Bongi Kaunda 🇿🇼 (@kaunda_bongi) August 15, 2022
Magesh, tsotsi from kofifi. One of the realist kwaito pioneers. Rest in peace KING. 💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/dYNdfs2a59
— Bongi Kaunda 🇿🇼 (@kaunda_bongi) August 15, 2022
Tshabalala is one of Kwaito’s most renowned musicians, famously known for his songwriting and being a member of TKZee, complementing the group with his unique rapping skills.
The Tshabalala family said about Magesh’s death: “The family requests for privacy during this difficult period, all details pertaining to his memorial and funeral service will be shared in due course.”
According to news24.com, the musician died during his sleep. A relative told the news outlet that his death “could be due to his battle with epilepsy.”
One of their biggest hits, Shibobo, dedicated to the 1998 Fifa World Cup, was recorded in Amsterdam with current Manchester United coach, Benni McCarthy.
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Originally from the UK, Matthew is based on the Costa Blanca and is a web reporter for The Euro Weekly News covering international and Spanish national news. Got a news story you want to share? Then get in touch at editorial@euroweeklynews.com.
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