Mafikizolo

Mafikizolo is a South African Afro-pop music group formed in 1996, consisting of composer Theo Kgosinkwe, lead singer Nhlanhla Mafu and Composer Tebogo Madingoane, who was shot and killed 14 February 2004. The group rose to fame after they released their singles "Ndihamba Nawe kuphela", "Kwela Kwela", "Sibongile", "Udakwa Njalo" .
The group released their self-titled album ''Mafikizolo'' in 1997 and ''Music Revolution'' in 1999.

In 2000, the band released their third album ''Gate Crashers'', which became their best-selling album.

Mafikizolo has won 14 South African Music Award, 2 MTV Africa Music Awards including the awards for Best Duo or Group of the Year.

History

1997-2002: ''Mafikizolo'', ''Music Revolution'' and ''Sibongile''

They came into the scene in 1997 as a kwaito group with their late member Tebogo Madingoane, who died on 14 February 2004, when they released their self-titled album ''Mafikizolo''. They released their 1999 album titled ''Music Revolution'' followed by ''Gate Crushers'' in 2000 which included their hits, "Lotto" and "Majika".

After a near-fatal crash that left Nhlanhla Mafu hospitalised for a while, they released their critically acclaimed album ''Sibongile'' (2002) featuring the hit single "Ndihamba Nawe".

2003-2010: ''Kwela'', ''Van Toeka Af'' and ''Six Mabone''

In 2003, they released ''Kwela'' which featured Hugh Masekela assisted "Kwela Kwela", "Udakwa Njalo" and "Emlanjeni" amongst others.

In 2005, they released ''Van Toeka Af'' which featured Nisixoshelani and Mas'Thokoze amongst others. In 2006, they released ''Six Mabone'' which featured "O Tswa Kae" and "Love Potion". ''Six Mabone'' was released before their hiatus.

During their hiatus in 2009 they released a compilation album ''The Best of'' which included one new song, "Walila".

2011-2018: ''Reunited and 20''

They resumed work as a group in 2013 when they released their internationally acclaimed single " Khona" featuring Uhuru. In 2014, "Khona" single was performed live at MTV Africa Music Awards during the ceremony.

Their first album after their hiatus followed in 2013 and was titled '' Reunited'' which saw them winning awards at 20th South Africa Music Awards in one night amongst other awards. To promote ''Reunited'' they embarked on UK Tour, performed in three cities London, Manchester and Coventry. Mafikizolo was nominated for Best African Act at MTV Europe Music Awards in 2013. The success of ''Reunited'' was so great that they released a follow-up album four years later in 2017 titled ''20'' to celebrate their 20th anniversary in the music industry. The album features "Love Potion" and the Yemi Alade-assisted "Ofana Nawe".

At 24th South African Music Awards, ''20'' received three nominations and won Duo/Group of the Year and Best Engineered album category.

2019-present: ''Idwala''

After three years they announced their upcoming album which was set to be released in 2022.

In November 2021, their single "Mamezala" featuring South African singer Simmy was released. The song peaked number 9 on Radio Monitor Charts.

"10k" featuring South African singer Sjava was released on June 10, 2022.

Their twelfth studio album ''Idwala'' was released on August 26, 2022.

Band members

* Nhlanhla Mafu - lead vocals (1996–Present)
*Theo Kgosinkwe - (1996–present)
* Tebogo Benedict Madingoane - (1996-2004)

Discography

Studio albums

* ''Mafikizolo'' (1997)
* '' Music Revolution'' (1999)
* '' Gate Crashers'' (2000)
* '' Sibongile'' (2002)
* ''Kwela'' (2003)
* '' Van Toeka Af'' (2005)
* '' Six Mabone'' (2006)
* '' Reunited'' (2013)
* ''20'' (2017)
* ''Idwala'' (2022)

Awards and nominations

References

External links

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South African musical duos