JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – Emmanuel Mojalefa Matsane, a member of the legendary South African kwaito group, Trompies, was killed in a car accident early Sunday as he returned from a performance in Soweto, friends said.
Eugene Mtetwa, a member of Trompies, announced Matsane’s death on Facebook.
“And then when we are excited to have our first live performance in our neighbourhood, ekasi, ‘Endofaya’, since lockdown, we are abruptly woken up to the saddest news since the existence of Trompies – one of our members has passed on from a car accident,” Mtetwa wrote.
According to Mtetwa, Matsane had joined Trompies for a performance at the Disoufeng Pub & Restaurant in Soweto, south of Johannesburg, where all the members of the group grew up.
He was driving home after their performance when he was involved in a car accident, details of which have not been revealed.
Trompies began making music in 1990 and released their debut album Sigiya Ngengoma in 1995.
Matsane, popularly known as Mjokes, was the lead singer of the fivesome famed for such hits as Sweet Lavo, Magasman, Fohloza, Zodwa, Bengimngaka, Current and Malabulabu.
Matsane also had a successful solo career, using the name Copperhead. One of his singles, Umtwanakhe, brought him success.
Apart from being one of the founders and directors of record label Kalawa Jazmee, Matsane was also a successful businessman after venturing into the construction industry.
The surviving members of Trompies are Mtetwa, Mandla ‘Spikiri’ Mofokeng, Zayne ‘Mahoota’ Sibiya and Jairas ‘Jakarumba’ Nkwe.
