‘Mshoza’s talent was too amazing to be ignored’

Bulldawgz Entertainment co-founder Oscar Mlangeni on Thursday paid tribute to “first lady” of kwaito Mshoza, saying her talent was too amazing to be ignored.

Mshoza, real name Nomasonto Maswanganyi, died on Thursday morning due to complications from diabetes. The 37-year-old musician who rose to fame in 2001 first revealed that she was diabetic in 2014 when she was hospitalised after a health scare.

“We signed Sonto on the spot because she was a complete package, both talented as singer and dancer. She came at the time when Zola 7 was the powerhouse of kwaito. We released the album First Lady which had the hit Kortes and we were proud to have produced a classic hit,” Mlangeni said.

“Sonto was humble and a respecting child. She was ambitious and when she lived in big houses leading a successful life I was not shocked because she loved finer things.”

Musician Mzambiya, who has been with Mshoza from the beginning of her music journey, said he was shattered by the singer’s death.
He appealed to Mshoza’s fans to celebrate her because she was a bubbly person.

“I met Sonto in 1997 in Zola where Mandoza and Chiskop used to rehearse. When I got a break with Bulldawgz, I decided to bring her in and she was signed. In all honesty I’m shattered I can’t believe she has passed on.

“The last time I spoke to her was a few months ago when I was doing an interview celebrating 20 years in the music industry. She was also interviewed and spoke about my career. She was fine. One thing I will miss about her is that she was fun to be around with and full of energy. She loved nice things and her kids.”

Under Bulldawg, Mshoza released First Lady of Bulldawgz, uMshoza Yibhoza and Piti. Mshoza returned to the music industry in 2016, releasing a song titled Abantu Bam. Sowetan