Gospel Reggae artist Senzo Mthethwa is still alive
Elder Senzo Mthethwa, a South
African gospel reggae artist was popular in the 90’s and managed to capture
audiences as far as east and central Africa.Senzo Mthethwa is still alive
He was Lucky Dube’s
contemporary until his sudden disappearance from the scene.
Nobody knew what happened to
him until everyone was convinced that he had passed on, even some media
reported on his death, not bothering to investigate.
He was more popular and
appreciated outside of South Africa, and had seemed to have gained a strong
following in Malawi where he even had plans to establish a recording studio with his Malawian promoter, Tailos
Bakili of Tai-B Promotions.
The studio was scheduled to
open in December 1998, in Blantyre, with the hope of promoting local Malawian
artists. Under the new label, to be known as TAI-B Records, the artists would
have been promoted both in Malawi and South Africa.
Tragedy struck twice! On one of
his many return trips from Malawi, he contracted cerebral malaria infection a sever case
of malaria that occurs when infections are complicated by serious organ
failures or abnormalities in the patient’s blood or metabolism.
The manifestations of severe
malaria may include abnormal behavior, impairment of consciousness, seizures,
coma, or other neurologic abnormalities. That affected his voice, his weapon,
his tool, his life, and he could sing no more. He retreated and was never to be
seen or heard of.
In 1999 he lost one of his back
up vocalists Rosinah Tlou during a
‘musical performance around Africa’ and he was never
able to neither forget this ordeal nor forgive
himself for that loss. It was enough for him to bear and retreating to his
native land was the option most fitting.
The rumor of his death started
and it spread like cancer. Despite the rumor fans continued to inquire about
him. Youtube came along and fans started uploading his music, longing to hear
news of him, from him. The comments section reveals the extent of his reach,
how and how much he has touched lives across Africa and the constant question:
still alive?
The rumors were so vile, in one
answer to the question, is Senzo Still Alive?
“He is dead; he actually died before Lucky Dube.
Some people believe that he was murdered by Lucky Dube due to his Single album
which became so popular. Lucky Dube was frightened by Senzo’s popularity which
could minimize his popularity.”-
Answer.com
No one really knew what
happened to Senzo. It did not help that here at home we had forgotten about
him, we were in the dark as much as they were and to be honest, we did not
bother. Senzo Mthethwa continued to live his life in obscurity while he
regained his health and continued to work on music.In 2015 a YouTube video
surfaced, with Senzo the man himself finally appeared in flesh lying to rest
this ugly rumor, to the relief and delight of his many loyal supporters. The
video, edited by Andries Matladisa for
Nice Touch Production, was the effort of True-za Shaya who, went and searched for Senzo Mthethwa and saw it
was best to let the elder speak for himself and assure all his fans that he is
still alive and he himself explains what happened to him.
He is alive men! And the way I mourned him! All the way from Kenya I bring you love. This man was big. Many guys adopted his name back home. He was the bomb! Marvin is currently in South Africa. Where does Senzo live? Really love to visit him. This is a legend man.
Senzo Mthethwa has regained his health significantly and working on his album. He was recently spotted at Alpha Studios in December 2018 where they are putting the final touches to his album. A Senzo Mthethwa facebook Page had been created mainly to dispel the rumor and also keep fans updated.
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