The Soul Brothers

The Soul Brothers is a South African Mbaqanga music group from KwaZulu-Natal formed in 1975 by Moses Ngwenya and David Masondo.^[1][2][3][4] They released over 45 albums including two solo albums that were released by the lead vocalist David Masondo in collaboration with Deborah Fraser, most of which earned them gold status in the Recording Industry of South Africa. In total the band has sold of over five million copies of their entire albums.^[4] In 2001, the band won South Africa Music Awards for the song "Intombi Yam", and in 2011,^[5] the band won South Africa Music Awards for best Mbaqanga album. In early 1976, the band released a single, "Mshoza Wami" which sold over 60 000 units within three months which was a rare achievement in the Mbhaqanga music genre.^[4][6] The band has visited many countries and performed in different notable events.^{[1][7][8][9][10][11][12]}

Soul brothers
Also known as	Young brothers (1970's) The Soul Brothers
Origin	KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Genres	Mbaqanga Folk music Folk Country music Country Rhythm and blues RnB Soul music Soul
Instrument	Hammond
Years active	1974-present
Labels	Gallo Record Company (former) Soul Brothers Records (Pty) Ltd
Members	Black Moses Ngwenya David Masondo Zenzele Zakes Mchunu Tuza Mthethwa Themba American Zulu Maxwell China Mngadi

Masondo released two solo albums before his death in 2015.^[13] On his solo album, he made collaboration with Debroh Fraser having featured on a song title "umzal'wam".^{[2][14][15][16][17]}

In 2018, at the age of 69, Mabaso died after a short illness.^{[18][19][20][21][22]}

Band Members

• Zenzele Zakes Mchunu (bass, 1974–1984)
• David Masondo (drums, vocals 1974–2015)
• Tuza Mthethwa (guitar, 1974–1979)
• Moses Ngwenya (organ, 1976–present)
• American Zulu (rhythm guitar, 1976–1982)
• Maxwell Mngadi (lead guitar, 1985–present)
• Sicelo Ndlela (bass, 1985–present)
• Thomas Phale (saxophone, 1985–2002)

International performances

• United Kingdom (1990)
• Europe

Discography

Studio albums

• Mantombazane (1978)
• Jive Explosion (Earthworks)(1988)
• Kulukhuni
• Ezinkulu
• Indaba
• Isigqebhezana
• Jump and Jive (1994)
• Idlozi (1997)
• Amanikiniki (1998)
• Isigqebhezana (1999)
• Intombi Yami (2000)
• Induk' Enhle (2001)
• Isithothobala (2002)
• Kuze Kuse (2003)
• Nilindeni (2004)
• Igobondela (2004)
• Ke Kopa Tshwarelo (2004)
• Deliwe
• Mshoza Wami
• Ukhalelani
• Usathane Simehlulile
• Ugroove lobani (2005)
• Hluphekile
• Xola
• Impimpi
• Isicelo
• Isithembiso
• Uxolo
• Usibali
• Isigebengu
• Iqiniso
• Vala Umlomo
• Ugruva Nobani
• Indaba
• Umhlola
• Isilingo
• Into Yamahala (2006)
• Isiphiwo (2007)
• Amacala
• Unembeza (2008)
• Oganda Ganda Vol. 2 (2009)
• Thul'Ubheke (2010)
• Dlal'ngam (solo album David Masondo) (2014)

Awards and nominations

Year	Award Ceremony	Prize	Result	Ref.
2001	South Africa Music Awards	"Intombi Yam"	Won
2008		"Macala"	Nominated	[23][24]
2011		Best Mbaqanga album	Won
2024		Best Traditional Music Album	Won	[25]

Accolades

• South Africa Music Awards

Further Reading

• Max Mojapelo, Sydney Fetsie Maluleke (2017). The Life and Times: Soul Brothers : Through the Eyes of Black Moses Ngwenya. Soweto: Maluks Books. ISBN 9780620750790.