- Tokollo Tshabalala was the son of Orlando Pirates Coach, Stanley ‘Screamer’ Tshabalala who died at the age of 45
- The 48 years old South African was part of two music groups by the early 2000s but soon after went solo
- Tshabalala was once susceptible to being sentenced to the death penalty in Botswana for allegedly killing two women.
Tokollo Tshabalala is a South African musician (rapper) who has been credited with pioneering the Kwaito music genre. He is the son of a former Football player turned coach who coaches the Orlando Pirates Football Club.
Tshabalala was once on the run from the Botswana police and judicial system after he was accused of killing two women. The case tallied for about 7 years but he left victorious. However, over a decade later, he died at the age of 48.
Tokollo Tshabalala’s Life
View this post on Instagram
The son of the former Kaiser Chief founder, Tokollo ‘Magesh’ Tshabalala was born on October 14, 1976, in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was born to Soccer coach Stanley ‘Screamer’ Tshabalala who was once a soccer player.
Stanley, Tokollo’s father has gone on to coach Orlando Pirates FC since his retirement from active football. While a player, he was nicknamed ‘Screamer’ because he was known to always shout for the ball while on the field of play.
Magesh did not follow in his father’s footsteps, nonetheless. He went on to be a famous musician in the South African music scene. Magesh was well educated and even attended college at St. Stithians College.
He was part of Two Music Groups
While starting off his musical career, Tokollo Tshabalala was part of a group known as Mashamplani. He did not last long there as there was a dispute on royalties. Soon after, he met and made friends with Kabelo Mabalane and Zwai Bala, in 1996. The trio then went to form the band known as TKZEE.
TKZEE was gotten from the trio’s initials and soon they began to make waves in the South African music scene. They are responsible for the EP ‘Take it Eezy’ as well as songs such as ‘Palafala’.
TKZEE’s album titled ‘Halloween’ was certified platinum by South Africa’s Recording Industry. The album sold a record number of over 200,000 copies. They also earned awards in 4 different categories during the SA Music Awards.
In addition to their wins, the group recorded a collaboration with Benni McCarthy former Manchester United coach. The song was recorded in Amsterdam and it was dedicated to the 1998 Fifa World Cup.
Years after their rise to fame as a group, TKZEE disbanded with Tokollo leaving the group. He continued in his career as a musician and can be tagged as one of the pioneers of Kwaito music. With the combination of the three college friends, they brought a new style to South African music. Their Kwaito style was new and refreshing and so welcomed by a lot of South Africans.
Zwai went on to become a pastor when his music career ended while Kabelo who was a drug addict got healing and became an activist.
After TKZEE Came ‘Heist’
View this post on Instagram
Following the disbandment of TKZEE, came ‘Heist’ a new record label. The birth of this record label marked the beginning of the musician’s company as it also housed a clothing line that went by the same name. The name was coined from the word ‘He Is Tokollo’.
Tshabalala’ the coach’s son, had quite a fulfilling solo career. Credited to his name is the album ‘Ndabezitha’ and ‘Ndlovu Iyangena’, which turned out to be a hit. After a couple of years of releasing notable songs and collaborations, he released ‘Coming Home’ in 2009.
It was by 2012 that he released the ‘Heist’ album signifying the birth of his new empire.
Tokollo Tshabalala would have faced a Death Penalty in Botswana
In 2001, Tokollo Tshabalala became a fugitive of the law in Botswana. The reason for this was because he was due to an accident he was reportedly involved in that caused the death of two people.
The incident occurred on the outskirt of a village in Botswana. He was accused by the Botswana police of speeding in Mogoditshane village just out of Gaborone. It was also reported that the police were in hot pursuit of him because he ignored a road sign.
In an attempt to overtake a car, the ‘Palafala’ rapper allegedly rammed into an oncoming vehicle. The vehicle had two passengers identified as Maria Monyatsi a businesswoman and her friend Tumelo Monyaisi.
Following the police report and the testimonies of about 15 eyewitnesses, Tshabalala was to face the death penalty in the country. However, he fled back to South Africa for fear of being sentenced to death.
The rapper was willing to face the panel, nonetheless. He agreed to return to Botswana and have his hearings when his lawyers had made certain that he wouldn’t face harsh punishment.
By 2008, about 7 years after the incident, the case came to a conclusion with the judge ruling out Tokollo’s involvement. Upon proper investigation, it was certified that the accident wasn’t caused by the musician’s BMW but by another car that wrongfully entered the road about 5 meters away from the collision.
See Also: Rosemary Ndlovu: 7 Facts About Alleged South Africa’s Killer Ex-Cop
Tokollo Tshabalala Died on August 15, 2022, Aged 48
Over a decade after the judgment favoring Tshabalala in 2008 which saw him miss out on a jail term, Tokollo died. His death was announced on Monday, 15 August 2022 as he reportedly died in the early hours of the day.
The musician changed during and before the 7-year between the supposed crime and verdict. According to some of his close friends, he became violent, and abusive, and was mostly like that under the influence of alcohol.
At the age of 48, Stanley ‘Screamer’ Tshabalala’s son passed away. The cause of his death is said to be connected to epileptic seizures which the rapper had been suffering from.
A close family member who chose to remain unknown mentioned that there were no bruises found on him. This is why it is supposed that the cause of death is linked to an epileptic attack. The details of his funeral arrangement have not been made yet but the family asks for privacy as they mourn.
Though he has died, Tokollo would always be remembered for being a vibrant entertainer. In addition to being one of the first people to introduce Kwaito music to South Africans, he has other legacies that would live on. He would definitely join other notable South Africans who have died but are legends.
Discussion about this post