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Late kwaito star Mandoza’s eldest son, Tokollo Tshabalala, will be jetting off to the US to start a new life as the musician’s family commemorates six years since his passing.
September 18 marks six years since the Nkalakatha hitmaker, given name Mduduzi Tshabalala, passed away after losing his battle with cancer. He was 38 years old.
As his family gather for lunch to commemorate this day, they will also be bidding farewell to Tokollo, who will be flying to the US next Saturday to work and further his studies.
“Next week, we are seeing Tokollo off. He was supposed to leave for the US yesterday [Friday], but things did not work out and we all made a joke and told him that his father did not want him to go before the anniversary of his passing. So, next Saturday we are going to see him off,” Mandoza’s widow, Mpho, said.
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Tokollo will be pursuing a course in sports management.
The Tshabalalas shared three children – Tokollo, Tumelo (who is in matric) and Karabo (who is still in primary school).
Mpho shared, as she revealed that this year was more emotional for her.
“I think I am experiencing déjà vu ... I call this year the full circle because the anniversary of his passing is happening on a Sunday. September 18 2016, when he passed on, fell on a Sunday. It is my birthday also, so a lot of emotions are going on.
“I told myself that I wanted to go through the whole week remembering what happened and what we did that week. I remember on this day that year we had visitor.”
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Mpho said she had not celebrated her birthday in the five years since her husband’s passing, but would be doing things differently this year.
“I have been mourning for the past five years, so this year I am going to celebrate. I am going to go to a restaurant and have a small thing with balloons for me ... I have done a full circle and now I have to move on,” she said.
For her husband’s legacy, the businesswoman said she wanted to start the process of creating a movie in his honour.
“A movie ... and then I would do a book.”
Of what she missed the most about her late husband: “I miss his laughter. He was very shy. He was always hungry. Cooking is something that is close to my heart because of him. Even before he went on stage, he would want to eat. Even after waking up, he would want to eat.”
