Daniel Ndivhiseni Tshanda (28 January 1964 – 1 May 2019), popularly known as Dan Tshanda, was a renowned
South African disco musician, producer, and businessman. He is the founder and leader of the band
Splash, which played a significant role in shaping the South African music landscape. Known for his contributions to genres such as mbaqanga, Afropop, and gospel, Tshanda's music transcended borders, earning him international acclaim.
Early life and career
Tshanda is from the Venda tribe and was born in
Tshiawelo,
Soweto
Soweto () is a Township (South Africa), township of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality in Gauteng, South Africa, bordering the city's mining belt in the south. Its name is an English syllabic abbreviation for ''South Western T ...
, South Africa. Due to financial constraints, he had to leave school at the primary level. To support his family, he worked as a newspaper vendor for a South African newspaper, where his father was employed as a sweeper. Later, he ventured into the taxi industry, working as a driver while pursuing his passion for music.
During this time, Tshanda formed a group called Flying Squad and recorded a demo cassette, which he submitted to
Gallo Records
Gallo Record Company is the largest (and oldest independent) record label in South Africa. It is based in Johannesburg, South Africa, and is owned by Arena Holdings. The current Gallo Record Company is a hybrid of two South African record lab ...
. Although their first album, Mr Tony (1985), was not a commercial success, the late Hamilton Nzimande of Gallo Records gave the group a second chance. Renamed Splash, the band gained momentum after being mentored by
Ray Phiri
Raymond Chikapa Enock Phiri (23 March 1947 – 12 July 2017) was a South African jazz, fusion and mbaqanga musician born in Mpumalanga to Thabethe Phiri, a Malawian immigrant worker, and South African guitarist nicknamed "Just Now" Phiri. He ...
of Stimela, who recognized their talent and encouraged their rebranding.
Personal life and death
Tshanda is from the Venda tribe but was a polyglot fluent in
Tshivenda
Venḓa or Tshivenḓa is a Bantu language and an official language of South Africa and Zimbabwe. It is mainly spoken by the Venda people (or Vhavenḓa) in the northern part of South Africa's Limpopo province, as well as by some Lemba peop ...
, Tswana, Zulu and English. He was married to Silvia Tshanda and he passed away on May 1, 2019, due to heart failure.
Discography
* Peacock (1986)
* Snake (1987)
* Money (1988)
* Tshokotshoko (1989)
* Eye for an Eye (1990)
* Nesindande (1991)
* Khoma Khoma (1992)
* 1.5 (1993)
* Why (1994)
* Cellular (1995)
* Ndosala (1996)
* Double Face (1997)
* Crocodile (1998)
* Makhirikhiri (1999)
* Ndivhuwo (2001)
* Sethopha (2003)
See also
*
Ray Phiri
Raymond Chikapa Enock Phiri (23 March 1947 – 12 July 2017) was a South African jazz, fusion and mbaqanga musician born in Mpumalanga to Thabethe Phiri, a Malawian immigrant worker, and South African guitarist nicknamed "Just Now" Phiri. He ...
*
Splash (South African band)
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tshanda, Dan
1964 births
2019 deaths
South African musicians
South African record producers