Mzilikazi Khumalo dies a day after his 89th birthday
-
When do I lose my car insurance bonus?
-
5G connections in Africa to increase 50-fold by 2028
-
Flamengo loses lawsuit and Guerrero does not have to reimburse R$ 1.8 million for image rights
-
Johnny Depp: These millions of euros that Amber Heard is about to pay him … but that he will not be able to touch!
Mzilikazi Khumalo dies
Icon of choral music and acclaimed composer Prof Mzilikazi Khumalo has died.
Khumalo, who was known for his exceptional composing skills, died on Tuesday morning after a long illness, a family spokesperson said. Known by his clan name Mtungwa in the choral cycles, he had turned 89 on Monday.
The family statement said: “It is with great sadness that [the] Khumalo family announces the passing of our beloved father professor Mzilikazi James Khumalo. He passed away in the early hours of this morning. Our father was a celebrated composer and custodian of choral music, we will therefore be celebrating his legacy. And will share information pertaining to this memorial service and funeral arrangement in due course.”
He composed his first song in 1959 called Mangificwa Ukufa, a song that remained popular even in the late 1990s. From then, he never looked back and composed choral songs such as Ushaka ka Senzagakhona, Princess Magogo ka Dinuzulu, Ugqozi and Ibhange Lama Africa among others.
Some of the people who worked with him have praised Khumalo for an incomparable skill of painting a picture using music.
Ali Mpofu, who once celebrated Khumalo in a massed choir festival for preserving choral music at the Linder Auditorium in Johannesburg, said he was saddened by the death of Khumalo.
“I have never seen BabuKhumalo that happy. He was excited and saying no-one has ever done what we did for him. He will be sorely missed.”
Mzilikazi Khumalo dies a day after his 89th birthday
Gauteng Choristers conductor Sydwell Mhlongo, who met Khumalo in 1990, said Khumalo was a great composer and knowledgeable when it came to indigenous music.
“As much as BabuKhumalo was a great composer, he was also a teacher. Whenever he was explaining something to you, he made sure you understand where he was coming from. You asked one question and he would give you a full lecture. He was a moving fountain of wisdom when it comes to indigenous music.”
Mhlongo said for over six decades people have enjoyed Khumalo’s music both locally and internationally. He said whenever his song was included in a choral competition everyone would be excited and looking forward to perform his music.
“I remember in Africa 2004 we went to Europe and performed his song Ushaka ka Senzangakhona in seven countries and we got a standing ovation after the performance. Since he was also a linguistic professor he was able to mix language and music together.”
A staunch Christian, Khumalo was born on June 20 1932 to parents who were in the Salvation Army ministries. Khumalo was part of the committee that amalgamated the Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika prayer with Die Stem
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK
-
Good News TV series4 weeks ago
Preta Gil is the new presenter of TVZ on Multishow
-
Good News TV series4 weeks ago
Justin Bieber and Hailey go to church using a powerful car – OFuxico
-
Good News TV series4 weeks ago
Justin Bieber and Hailey go to church using a powerful car – OFuxico
-
Good News TV series1 month ago
Fuzuê: Pascoal is sentenced to more than 70 years in prison
-
News4 weeks ago
Harry decides to appeal after loss of police protection in the UK
-
News1 month ago
Viradouro wins the Rio de Janeiro Carnival title in 2024 now news
-
Good News TV series1 month ago
Cris discovers Isis's pregnancy. And now?
-
Health & Fitness1 month ago
Hyperbaric Oxygenation accelerates recovery from knee injuries, according to USP study