Sixty-seven year old Soul Brothers lead singer, David Masondo, has died.
According to the South African Daily Sun, Masondo died at Garden City Hospital in Mayfair, Johannesburg, Sunday afternoon of an undisclosed illness.
The newspaper quoted another Soul Brothers kingpin, Moses Ngwenya, as saying the world has lost a great brother and talented musician.
Reports say Masondo was admitted to hospital more than three weeks ago after telling doctors that he was very tired at a live performance at Central Stadium in Uitenhage, Nelson Mandela Bay.
Soul Brothers manager, Welcome Nzimande, also told the newspaper that “we are shocked and saddened by the news of David’s death. We didn’t expect it so soon.
“His death has left a void in the mbaqanga music scene. He was one of the pioneers of the genre. May his soul rest in peace.”
At the time of his death, the Soul Brothers was busy recording their 39th album, which was expected to feature Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Steve Kekana and Ihashi Elimhlophe.
Masondo was born in Hammersdale also known as Mpumalanga, Durban, in 1950. He started his musical career by doing gigs in townships with Groovy Boys.
In 1974, he co-founded the Soul Brothers, the band that popularized the South African soul concept, umbhaqanga music.
He was the group’s lead vocalist at the time of his death.