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ARTISTS MOURN MALIBONGWE’S DEATH

15/05/2020 00:17:00 BY THEMBELANI NHLABATSI & DUDU DUBE

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MBABANE – South African gospel musician Dr Malibongwe Gcwabe, who died at the age of 55 on Wednesday evening, has left local artists and fans emotional.

As tributes started pouring in for the former member of sensational gospel group, Youth with Mission, many other locals followed suit in mourning his demise.

This came after the artist’s daughter, Agape Gcwabe, announced the passing of her father on her Facebook account in the evening of Wednesday.
In a brief post on the social media platform she said; “So my dad just died, jah neh.”

Illness

It is said that Gcwabe died in Wednesday at 6pm after a short illness and it was gathered that according to his friend and promoter Lucky Shongwe, he died at Cecilia Makhiwane Hospital.
He was rushed to hospital on Tuesday after suffering an asthma attack.

Shongwe, who also managed and helped Gcwabe to kick start his music career, said when the singer died he was in the middle of recording a song about COVID-19 with gospel singer Khanyisa Sabuka.

Sipho Makhabane, who gave Gcwabe his first big break when he recorded his first and second album, said: “I met Malibongwe when he was a member of Youth with Mission Gospel group. I realised that he was talented and we recorded his solo project.
“I was there when he got married, I sang at his wedding.”

“He was a humble and down to earth person. He was dedicated to his work. As someone who I mentored, I was very happy with his progress as an artist.”
Gcwabe is known for popularising Mormon Tabernacle Choir classic song ‘All is well’ and for recording ‘Siyakudumisa’.
He was also a pastor and the founder of Remnant Ministries in Duncan Village in East London.

Siphofaneni Member of Parliament and gospel musician Mduduzi ‘Magawugawu’ Simelane expressed his sadness as he said the late Doctor Gcwabe, was a brother to him.

He said he was the first giant artist to be part of his album and shows.
“I don’t know where to start, a giant has fallen. He was more like a brother; he contributed a lot in building my career and introduced me to South Africa. He was an amazing, kind person.

We will miss him. He created a huge following in the country and I am sure his fans will miss him. Rest in power my brother,” he said.
Its worth noting that the late gospel star had two songs with Magawugawu titled ‘He watches over me’ and ‘Through it all.’

Performing

He graced the kingdom multiple times performing alongside other local musicians.
Meanwhile, Eswatini’s award-winning gospel artist Phathwakahle expressed her shock at the news before breaking down.
She said at the time when the publication contacted her she was not aware.

“This comes as a big shock to me to learn that our brother in the Lord and in the music industry has passed away.
I first got to know about him when they did their first album ‘Ulikhakha Lethu’ as Youth with Mission choir and have in the past shared the stage with him a couple of times during shows,” said Phathwakahle.

She took the moment to relay her deepest and most sincere condolences to his entire family as times like these are very sad and trying for the whole family.She added that the music industry has lost one of its own too and ‘we are at a loss for words’.

“We ask that the Lord of all comfort, Jesus Christ himself, who always knows where it hurts the most and has the power to ease the pain and make a way where it seems impossible, be of comfort to his entire family and friends and be a guide and peace at this difficult time for the family,” she concluded.

Meanwhile Nduduzo Matse, who is also one of Eswatini’s multi-award winners in the gospel music industry, shared that growing up in music ministry, Gcwabe was part of the men who inspired him for a long time.

Message

“They have been running ahead of us, pulling us and sending a clear message that it is possible. We have consistently drawn strength from their dedication, consistency and zeal. We have lost a great deal but of course we are comforted by the knowledge that he has fought a good fight of faith and has finished the race. He is in a better place now. Condolences to all family members and music supporters,” said Matse.

The gospel singer added that they constantly worked together with the fallen star when they were doing the ‘Big Fish Tours’ and ‘City to City Tours’ for the SABC in the Eastern Cape.