Tokollo and Tumelo “Harry" Tshabalala, the sons of kwaito legend Mandoza, are stepping into the spotlight this month to honour their father with two major performances.
Their dedication to preserving their father’s legacy has led them to work tirelessly on their acting and rapping skills as they prepare for a musical tribute to Mandoza's life and a live performance at one of South Africa’s biggest music festivals.
The musical, set to open on September 18, at the Soweto Theatre in Jabulani, will portray Mandoza's rise from his early days in Zola, Soweto, to kwaito superstardom.
Tokollo will take on the role of his father, capturing his youth and the essence of his journey to becoming the icon known for the hit song “Nkalakatha”.
Harry, along with their half-brother Thapelo Komotolo, will also be part of the production.
This project follows last year’s BET Africa biopic “Nkalakatha: The Life of Mandoza”, which starred Wiseman Mncube as Mandoza.
In an interview with “Sowetan Live”, Tokollo opened up about stepping into the renowned musician’s shoes.
He noted that growing up, he didn’t initially see the resemblance between himself and his father.
"Probably the beard is what is convincing everyone that I look like my dad," he said, reflecting on how the resemblance has only become more apparent as he matured.
Despite being the son of a superstar, he described his childhood as relatively normal, spending much of his time playing football and developing a love for rugby.
He also shared how his father was deeply involved in his upbringing, particularly when it came to his sports. Mandoza was strict about his son’s diet and disciplined him when he strayed from it.
"He always expected me to be home studying on weekdays … he really ran a tight schedule on us," Tokollo recalled.
Their bond was strong and Mandoza’s guidance played a significant role in shaping Tokollo's character.
Tokollo added that his father warned him never to lose himself to materialism, regardless of fame or fortune.
For Harry, the past year has been a transformative journey. He stated that his music career has helped him connect with his father in a deeper way.
Mandoza passed away when Harry was just 12 years old, but through his own musical pursuits, Harry has gained a better understanding of his father’s legacy.
This new bond will reach its peak with his debut major public performance at the DStv Delicious Festival at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Johannesburg, on September 21 and 22.
This is where Mandoza’s sons will perform a medley of his hit songs.
Harry is especially excited about performing with Tokollo on a big stage. The brothers have a long history of singing their father’s songs together, often in the dining room when they were younger.
“This time it’ll be different as there will be an audience watching us,” Harry added to the publication.
These events are a way for them to honour their father’s memory while also stepping into the spotlight themselves.
Mandoza, born Mduduzi Tshabalala, made a lasting impact on South African music with hits like "Nkalakatha," "Tornado" and "Sgelekeqe". Even after his passing in 2016, his influence on the industry remains strong.