Sphuzo’s death sends shock waves across the KZN
THABISILE KHOMO
NOT so long ago, Maskandi music lovers in KwaZulu-Natal were celebrating with a great hype when a ‘then’ budding artist in this music genre Gawulezakhe Mbili shot to fame. The husky voiced 55-year-old madala from KwaDweshula outside Mthwalume in the south coast of the province won the hearts of many citizens, especially towards the end of last year when he released his debut album titled Guava Juice.
But on Tuesday afternoon, the entire province was shuttered when news broke out that Sphuzo, as he has been dubbed by music lovers, passed away in a clinic after a shot illness. The shocking announcement was made by his manager Sakhile Cele on social media. Confirming the news to The Purpose Magazine, Sakhile said he was informed that Sphuzo suffered a stroke on Tuesday morning and was transported to hospital where he succumbed to the illness around 3pm. “I am heartbroken and words cannot even begin describing what I’m feeling. Sphuzo only released his debut album towards the end of last year. He did not have enough time to market his work and score some gigs because of the Covid-19 pandemic. I was hoping that he’d go very far because he had a great talent and people loved him,” lamented Sakhile.
He told this magazine that even though the details surrounding Sphuzo’s death are still sketchy, he knew for sure that he had no pre-existing health problems.
Sphuzo shot to fame last year when several unofficial videos of him singing at his local boozing spots went viral on social media platforms.
His singing talent drew eyes of the music gurus who then horned his career. All his life, Sphuzo had lived in a tiny shack.
Towards the end of last year, his life took a turn for the better when the KwaZulu-Natal government built him a posh house, just after he had released his album.
His family is yet to release details of his memorial and funeral service.
