JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – Doc Shebeleza, one of the pioneers of kwaito music, died in hospital at the age of 51 on Thursday, his family confirmed.
In June 2024, the legendary artist was reported to be hospitalised after a health scare. And last month, his family disclosed in a statement that he had undergone surgery over an undisclosed ailment, and a second surgery was due to be performed on February 2.
Born in 1973 in Soweto, Shebeleza’s music career began at an early age but he only blew up in 1995 when he dropped his hit single, “Ghets Ghetsa”.
The following year, he released his debut album, “S’Kumfete.”
In 1997, he released another album, “Tiger”. In 2001 he was at the peak of his career and dropped two albums, “Ingagara” and “Jiva Yoyo” (2001).
In 2018, he was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Mzansi Kwaito and House Music Awards.
In 2014, rapper Cassper Nyovest dropped his debut album “Tsholofelo” and “Doc Shebeleza” – dedicated to the kwaito star – was the runaway hit single that helped him win the most awards at the Channel O Music Video Awards where he walked away with Most Gifted Male, Most Gifted Southern Artist and Most Gifted Video of the Year.
It has been a dark week for South Africa’s music industry after ‘Live My Life’ star Winnie Khumalo’s death on January 7, also aged 51.
