'Sandile is no more': Kwaito legend Mapaputsi dies after a long illness

Singer Mapaputsi has died (Gallo Images/Oupa Bopape)

South African kwaito legend Mapaputsi, real name Sandile Ngwenya, has died.

According to a source close to the family, who confirmed the death to News24, the singer died on Thursday night.

"Sandile is no more," said his tearful wife, Dieketseng Ayolla Ngwenya.

In an official statement released shortly after, the family confirmed that the Izinja hitmaker had died due to an undisclosed illness. 

"The family of the South African kwaito legend Sandile Ngwenya popularly know as Mapaputsi are saddened to confirm to the media and public of the passing of their son Mapaputsi," the statement said.

"Mapaputsi met his untimely death in the late hours of Thursday, 05 September 2024, after a short illness."

The Woza Friday singer and father of two had been battling a long illness that had confined him to bed prior to a brief period of recovery, according to an interview he had with Drum magazine.

"There is not much progress with his health, and he's been sick in bed since October last year. He's still refusing to go to the hospital," a source close to him reported to Zimoja in early August.

Following reports that the musician was bedridden, Mapaputsi denied this

In a video posted on his WhatsApp status that also reached X earlier this year, the Izinja singer recorded himself confronting the rumours, stating that he was living well in Durban and not stuck in bed.

This is a developing story.