Moses Molelekwa

CONVERSATIONS around Club27 are tailed by names of Jimi Hendrix, Amy Winehouse, Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain. But the Grim Reaper also hovered over fine South African artists, who were at the age of 27.

Insanely talented and at times, misunderstood individuals make-up the club and no one can pinpoint exactly what led to their ultimate untimely deaths. This is a list of just five artists who shared their genius, then left after serving their purpose.

Moses Taiwa Molelekwa

Tembisa’s finest export, the gentle jazz kat shook the world of music when he came on the scene professionally in the 80s. Nicknamed ‘Monk’ by his father, for his understanding of great US pianist Thelonious Monk, Molelekwa was a mastermind musician who gained respected for his virtuosity on keys and for his compositions. He played with the likes of Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Jonas Gwangwa and other international artists.  Stories around his death were all over the media in 2001, after he and his wife, Florence “Flo” Mtoba, were found in their downtown Joburg offices, lifeless. Gone, but the scene still has tremors from his talent.

Oupa ‘Makhendlas’ Mafokate

The musician from Soweto died a fatal death, taking his own life in 1998 as he was gaining star status in the South African music scene. Till this day, his track Emenwe (phezulu) remains a favourite in most townships all over the country. The young brother of King of Kwaito, Arthur Mafokate, Makhendlas was found dead after he shot himself.

Tsakani ‘TK’ Mhinga

With a voice smooth as fine wine and an infectious smile that was completed by her overall beauty, it came as a shock to many when her body was discovered at a hotel, understood to have died of a drug overdose in early 2006. Her sound was of international standard. I remember first hearing her and assuming she was from abroad, but was stunned to discover that she’s South African.

Nkululeko ‘Nkush’ Mthembu

A broad-based artist who found South African and internationally recognised art collective and band, The Brother Moves On (TBMO) passed away in 2013 right before the release of their debut album-the cause of death was never released. Often in the background, Nkush was an integral part of TBMO’s visual art and performance presentation, which together with the music, grips one’s senses and challenges your reasoning. Fortunately the band remains active and maintains this element of visual art. As an ode to Nkush and their best way of grieving him, TBMO had an exhibition Hlabelela: It’s a New Mourning Nkush, at the Goodman Art Gallery in 2016.

Tebogo ‘Zombo’ Ndlovu

The Kwaito artist who was also part of 999’s music group, Abashante, was also a producer and a vocalist. In 2003, as a solo artist he was nominated in the Rap Album of the year in the South African Music Awards. His hit Zombo was bumping everywhere when it came out, with kids in the hood chanting his name. But his career dwindled in his last years, as he was reported to be living in poverty and in 2008 died of AIDS-related disease.