Legendary South African Kwaito Artist Dies At 51

Published 11 days ago
, Multimedia Journalist
0000110227
Victor "Doc Shebeleza" Bogopane, founder and chairperson of the African Musicians Against HIV/Aids, outside his Dobsonville House in 2010. (Photo by Gallo Images/Daily Sun)

South African Kwaito musician, Victor Bogopane, popularly known as Doc Shebeleza, passed away on Thursday morning. According to reports, the S’kumfete artist died at home.

https://twitter.com/tsheko2020/status/1877302658731577383

There is no confirmation as to the cause of the death but family spokesperson Shakes Mavundla told News24 that Bogopane, 51, had been undergoing medical treatment.

Advertisement

“He was going back on Monday in preparation for his second operation. He is survived by his mother, brother, sister and nine children,” added Mavundla.

Loading...

— TK_Nala (@NalaThokozane) January 9, 2025

Considered a Kwaito music veteran and icon in the country, many took to social media to express how the artist contributed to the music industry. From the vibrant township of Soweto and growing up in a family that valued cultural expression, Bogopane’s music career began very early and he was able to introduce styles ranging from Kwaito to traditional South African music.

His songs such as S’kumfete, Ingagara, Ebumnandini, and Ghets Ghetsa are fan favorites in South Africa.

Advertisement

South African political party, African National Congress (ANC), said in a statement on Thursday that Bogopane’s loss is marked as a profound loss to the music industry and the nation as a whole.

“His contributions significantly shaped South Africa’s cultural landscape, providing a soundtrack to the lives of many during a transformative era in our country’s history,” ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said in the statement.

Loading...