Mphatheni Khumalo popularly known as Mfaz’ Omnyama (1959–2001) was a South African performer of Maskandi music, guitar player, and lyricist. He is known for his hit singles such as ''Khula Tshitshi Lami'', ''Ngisebenzile Mama'' and ''Ngiyashisa Bhe''.

Early life and music career

Khumalo was born in rural

Nongoma Nongoma is a town in Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It is the seat of the Nongoma Local Municipality. It is situated 300 km north of Durban and 56 km from Ulundi; it is surrounded by the Ngome Forest. It is a busy market tow ...

, KwaZulu-Natal. He was a left-handed self-taught master of the string and stage, and released many top-selling albums in his time. Khumalo was discovered by former Ukhozi FM presenter and host Bodloza Nzimande while working in a mine in North West province which employed labourers from the Eastern Cape, specifically from

Pondoland Pondoland or Mpondoland (Mpondo: ''EmaMpondweni''), is a natural region on the South African shores of the Indian Ocean. It is located in the coastal belt of the Eastern Cape province. Its territory is the former Mpondo Kingdom of the Mpondo peopl ...

. He was a solo musician and later became part of a music group called “Izingqungqulu Zomhlaba” consisting of Phuzekhemisi and Ihhashi Elimhlophe.

Busi Mhlongo Busi Mhlongo (28 October 1947 – 15 June 2010), born Victoria Busisiwe Mhlongo, was a singer, dancer and composer originally from Inanda in Natal, South Africa. Biography Mhlongo drew on various South African musical styles such as Mbaqanga, ...

did several cover versions of his songs in his memory.

Death

Mpatheni Khumalo died at the age of 42 in 2001, at St. Benedict Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal after struggling from

pancreatic cancer Pancreatic cancer arises when cell (biology), cells in the pancreas, a glandular organ behind the stomach, begin to multiply out of control and form a Neoplasm, mass. These cancerous cells have the malignant, ability to invade other parts of ...

. He left eight children and his wife.

Discography

Studio albums

* ''Emazweni Baba'' (1995) * ''Amagugu'' (1996) * ''Khula Tshitshi Lami'' (1997) * ''Ngiyashisa Bhe!!'' (1999) * ''Ngisebenzile Mama'' (2000) * ''Ngihlanze Ngedela'' (2001)

International Performances

Germany Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

Hong Kong Hong Kong)., Legally Hong Kong, China in international treaties and organizations. is a special administrative region of China. With 7.5 million residents in a territory, Hong Kong is the fourth most densely populated region in the wor ...

References

External links

* {{Authority control 1959 births 2001 deaths Maskanda musicians South African styles of music Zulu music