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David Masondo

Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
ZimbabweAN artistes have paid tribute to the late Soul Brothers’ lead singer David Masondo whom they described as a gifted songwriter and stage performer who will be greatly missed.

Masondo, 67, died on Sunday afternoon at Garden City Hospital in Johannesburg after succumbing to kidney failure.

He had been admitted at the hospital after collapsing on stage during a show in the Eastern Cape more than a month ago.

Former radio personality Ezra “Tshisa” Sibanda who described Masondo as a friend and brother, said he was shocked to learn of his death.

“The Soul Brothers were a family to me and I’m devastated following Masondo’s death. I really feel for his business and music partner Moses Ngwenya.

The voice behind Soul Brothers is no more, the face of Soul Brothers has melted and certainly this marks the end of the group,” Sibanda posted on his Facebook wall.

He said he was blessed to have interviewed members of a group that he grew up admiring and attending their shows.

“Here was a band that I grew up loving and the next thing I was on radio interviewing them and attending their shows. When I visited South Africa for the first time in 1991, David and Moses invited me to accompany Soul Brothers for their tour of KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng Provinces,” Sibanda wrote.

“It was a mind blowing experience and was introduced to various South African radio presenters who included Bhodloza and others at Ukhozi FM. They asked me to MC at their Johannesburg Standard Bank Arena show in front of 10,000 people and I nailed it. This would open up avenues for me to know and be friends with top people and artistes in South Africa.”

Dub poet Albert Nyathi said he was shocked upon learning about the death of Masondo whose music was a part of life in Bulawayo and Zimbabwe as a whole.

“We cherish the relationship the countries have with Soul Brothers, they mean a lot to us. Their music is undying. I’m still shocked and in disbelief that he has gone. I hope his family finds comfort in this great time of grief,” said Nyathi.

He said the soul Brothers were successful because they were original and did not imitate other groups in their music.

“Masondo knew how to use his velvety voice to make a unique mbaqanga sound that was enjoyed by a lot of people for all these years. He used Zulu and didn’t attempt to be like Americans like what some youngsters do. I’ll remember him for respecting his language and roots through his music,” said Nyathi.

He said he remembered vividly the day he shared the stage with Masondo when they performed at White City Stadium in the early 2000s.

“It was raining and I was the supporting act. We performed and after that the Soul Brothers went on stage. After about one song there was a heavy downpour and as there was no protection for the PA system it was damaged and the show was called off. Fans in anger went on rampage and destroyed cars and property in Njube,” said Nyathi.

Insingizi lead singer Vusa Mkhaya said during his childhood, Christmas was not Christmas without a new Soul Brothers’ album.

“It’s a sad loss to the Southern African music fraternity. David Masondo was one of the most gifted songwriters and stage performers of his generation. He was extraordinary and he did what he did effortlessly. When I was a kid Christmas was not Christmas without a new Soul Brothers LP at home,” said Mkhaya.