RIP Mthandeni Mvelase (The Music Industry Icon)

The music industry has once again lost another icon, Mthandeni Mvelase.The man behind the creation of some of the most sonic sounds in this country which include music of Township Fever (the play), Muvhango (the most watched tv sopie), and a music director of some of the most celebrated on-stage performances such How Long (Gibson’s re-imagined by Duma Ndlovu), the Bambata Rebellion live a Megamusic (Joburg), including compositions of some of the most celebrated songs in this country.

More info about Mthandeni Mvelase

Mthandeni Mvelase first came into the spotlight when he joined Mbongeni Ngema’s Township Fever, a musical. He travelled to the United States with Township Fever and in 1987, upon his return he played with a variety of musicians as both a backup and as musical director.

He wrote, recorded, and worked with a number of musicians including but not limited to Jabu Khanyile, Khululiwe Sithole, Lindelani Mkhize, Sipho Sithole, Faca Kulu, Shabalala Rhythms, Themba Mkhize, Sibongile Khumalo, Zuluboy, just to mention a few.

Mthandeni Mvelase worked with Duma Ndlovu’s Word Of Mouth Pictures in a number of Projects including, but not limited to; The Lion King Auditions, The Journey, which travelled to Switzerland, HOW LONG (the revival of Gibson Kente’s classical musical, which performed at The Durban Playhouse in 2018), He also composed for a number of television shows including Muvhango, Imbewu, Uzalo, Soul City and Ingozi.

Muvhango - Mthandeni Mvelase — The cast of Muvhango

A self-taught multi-instrumentalist, Mthandeni Mvelase carved his music career in a music outfit called ‘The Goings’, in Umlazi township which he formed together with Lindelani Mkhize on drums, and Sandile Dlamini on guitar.

The music industry has once again lost one of the greatest talents to come from these shores.

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