David Masondo (singer)

This article is about the South African singer. For the South African politician, see David Masondo.

David Mdavu Masondo (1950 – 5 July 2015)^[1] was a South African singer and drummer. He was the lead vocalist of Mbaqanga group The Soul Brothers.^[2]

Career

His musical career began as a drummer for band formed in KwaZulu-Natal in 1970 the Young Brothers.^[3] In the early 1970s, the Young Brothers moved to Johannesburg and met the keyboardist Black Moses Ngwenya and co-founded The Soul Brothers.^[4][5] In 1975, their breakthrough song, "Mshoza Wami", was released.^[5] The song was commercially successful, selling 60,000 copies within three months.^[6]

In September 2009, Masondo's solo album Nkosi Bathethelele, fused with Gospel elements, was released in South Africa.^[7]

Legal issues

Masondo assaulted his wife Nomsa, and a case was opened.^[8] He was arrested on 7 February 2008 at Mofolo Park, Soweto, facing charges for assault and pointing a firearm at his wife.^[8]

Personal life

Masondo died at Garden City Hospital in Mayfair, Johannesburg, on 5 July 2015,^[9] after suffering from fatigue.