Mandoza's son Tokollo Tshabalala and Tumelo Tshabalala with their mother Mpho
Image: Supplied
Music has the power to unite people across all backgrounds and it has been proven time and time again. The late kwaito legend Mandoza’s hit song “Nkalakatha” is proof of that, as 25 years later the song is still uniting people.
“Nkalakatha” has transcended race and language barriers even after his death on September 18, 2016, following an ongoing battle with pharyngeal cancer.
Musician Mduduzi Edmund Tshabalala, better known as Mandoza, his widow Mpho Tshabalala, who oversees the Mandoza Foundation and continues to celebrate his legacy has announced that in celebration of the iconic song, a music festival will be held.
Nkalakatha Fest’25 is described as more than a festival, but a movement of unity, scheduled to take place on December 0, 2025 at the Nasrec Expo Centre, Johannesburg.
Mpho told IOL that the planning for Nkalakatha Festival 25 is making her crazy with ideas for the celebration which has the theme 25. “Everything is 25, including the lineup.”
Because “Nkalakatha” is a unity song, the lineup is taping into every genre from rock, amapiano, maskandi and gqom.
“I've been having sleepless nights but I'm enjoying every part of it because part of the big purpose of this festival is to launch the Nkalakatha Busary Fund with the proceeds of the festival of which is something very close to my heart,” said Mpho.
The Nkalakatha Bursary Fund, launches in January 2026, and will help support and empower young people through education. The foundation will start with 25 students assisting them with registration fees and has hopes for more.
“We're going to start small with 25 students that will be chosen in January launching it on the 17th of January, which is his birthday. The same day as Muhammad Ali as he would say.”
Not only has “Nkalakatha” united people but it has shown it’s longevity and staying power as 25 years later, the song is still blasting at stadiums.
For Mpho and her family it’s important to protect the late musician’s legacy and she’s made sure to know everything around the song, including royalties.
“We are in power with everything because this is the legacy that he left us with and not just us as a family, but as South Africans to make sure that it's well represented even beyond his passing on.”
Not only has the family launched the Nkalakatha Festival 25 but they have announced a limited edition collaboration with fashion brand Le Coq Sportif, a brand that has previously honoured the music icon.
"Le Coq Sportif has been his partner before his passing, but what I love is that they've been with us on this journey even beyond his passing.
"Whatever we did, they've always been there, celebrating my birthday, celebrating his birthday, you know, to be there for the family just to say, 'You're not alone. You're with us.' We've released t-shirts before in the past few years.
"But now we've taken up a notch higher to say let's release a full merchandise with Le Coq Sportif celebrating the 25 years and we handing over to the next generation and say take in the take it to the next 25 years to the next generation."
IOL