Patience Bambalele

Patience Bambalele

Famous maskandi singer Zwelenduna Magubane is still in shock after his home was burnt down on Sunday in the runaway fires in KwaZulu-Natal.

Magubane, a member of multi-platinum selling maskandi duo Shwi Nomtekhala, says his family had to run for their lives when the fire engulfed the village of Mahlaba in Msinga.

Known as Mtekhala in the music industry, Magubane says nine huts were destroyed.

Speaking to Sowetan from his home in Msinga, Magubane says he received an emergency call on Sunday afternoon.

"I immediately rushed to my home in Msinga," he says. "When I arrived there I discovered that nine of 12 huts were completely burnt down. Because of the smoke my family could not save any of our furniture or clothes.

"Everything was burnt, including the goats and sheep. We only have three huts left."

Magubane confirms that no one was injured in the fire. He says when the fire approached the village of Mahlaba the people could do nothing but run away.

Shwi Nomtekhala is one of the most popular maskandi groups. The group's album Wangisiza Baba sold more than 500000 units.