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King of Maskandi leaves fans crushed

Maskandi singer Mtshengiseni Gcwensa, who died on Monday morning in a hospital in Dundee, KwaZulu-Natal, was regarded as "the Michael Jackson" of maskandi due to his popularity.

Thousands of fans followed him wherever he went. According to Velo Bhengu, a leader of the Mtshengiseni Fan Club, Gcwensa's humility and respect for other people endeared him to his fans.

Gcwensa was born on March 6 1972 in KwaMajozi village in Msinga, northern KwaZulu-Natal.

He sang, produced and composed music for four groups and was one of South Africa's best maskandi musicians.

His popularity as a musician is backed by a string of accolades.

Gcwensa has won nine South African Traditional Music Awards, four Amantshontsho ka Maskandi Awards, as well as two Maz Ambassador Maskandi Awards.

In a career spanning 16 years, he released 25 albums - most of which sold more than 25000 copies each.

He started out as a backing singer for female maskandi group Amatshitshi Amhlophe, which was led by Mgqumeni Khumalo's uncle Mahawukela Mseleku.

When Mseleku died, Gcwensa and Khumalo founded a maskandi group called Amagcokama, which released an album titled Iyothi Bhunxe.

After that the two parted, although not amicably amid disputes about royalties.

Gcwensa later founded his own group Amageza Amahle with Njencani Ngubane and the late Sibongiseni Ntombela.

He recorded 11 successful albums such as Operation Qoqa Zonke, Iphethe Umbese, Ukhohlisa Abantu and Ngeke Ulunge.

He then established another maskandi group called Ithwasa Langempela, with the same musicians. This group released nine albums.

A few years ago, he started recording solo, releasing a total of four albums.

While with Indidane, another group, he released only a single album.

According to Bhengu, Gcwensa was their hero because he was a talented musician. He was able to turn his pain into song.

"It was through his music that he would tell his fans about the pain of losing his parents at a young age. And how he was only left with his sister."

Bhengu said it was hard for Gcwensa's fans to accept that their hero was gone.

"We loved that he cared [about] us. In each and every album he included a song dedicated to us."

Gcwensa is survived by his wife, sister and nine children.

Two memorial services will take place today - one at the Durban Community Church at 5pm and another at Downtown Studios in Johannesburg at noon.

The funeral will take place on Sunday at his home in Msinga. It starts at 10am.

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