It’s with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of legendary kwaito artist Sandile Ngwenya, widely known as Mapaputsi.
The beloved musician left us on the night of September 5th.
Confirmation of the Tragic News
Mapaputsi’s manager, Busi Kunene, confirmed the heartbreaking news to TshisaLIVE.
She mentioned, “He has passed on.
We’ll be issuing a press statement and arranging a media briefing soon.”
The Struggle: Health Issues
A close friend of the musician, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that Mapaputsi had been showing signs of improvement after enduring months of health struggles.
“He was getting better, but it seems he had just given up.
He was in a lot of pain,” the friend shared.
The Decline in Health
Back in May, Zimoja reported that Mapaputsi, a fan-favorite in South Africa, had been bedridden at his Soweto home and wasn’t getting any better.
According to a source, Ngwenya had been unwell since late 2023 and had been confined to bed since October.
Despite his condition, he didn’t want to worry his fans, maintaining that he’d be alright.
Another insider mentioned that despite his family’s pleas for him to seek hospital care, Mapaputsi was reluctant to go.
“He’s not doing well, and it’s been advised that he should go to the hospital,” the insider noted.
Tributes from South Africans
The news of Mapaputsi’s passing has sparked an outpouring of tributes from fans and fellow South Africans on social media:
- @TheGeopol: “Rip Mapaputsi, time really flies.”
- @biggieFNP: “What is happening to musicians these days?”
- @Inenekazi1: “I was happy, now I’m not. His song made dogs famous, man.”
- @Luzz_Nex: “Damn…. RIP legend, you had so much humility.”
The legacy of Mapaputsi will undoubtedly live on through his music and the memories he created.
