Kwaito Legend Doc Shebeleza Has Passed On
Kwaito legend Victor Bogopane, popularly known as Doc Shebeleza, is no more. The beloved icon passed on at the age of 51 at his home in the morning of the 9th of January 2024.
The unfortunate passing of the influential kwaito mainstay was confirmed by manager as well as the family’s spokesperson, Shakes Mavundla, corroborated by News24.
While the actual cause of death remains unknown and also undisclosed by the family, Bogopane spent the past few months going in and out of the hospital and also being operated upon. The family’s mouthpiece also revealed, according to his interview with News24, that Shebeleza had recently finished his second operation and was still receiving medical treatment.
Doc Shebeleza | SUPPLIED
A stalwart of the kwaito movement, Doc Shebeleza will be remembered for his musical pedigree which includes singles such as “Ebunandini”, “Jiva Yoyo”, and “Ingagara”, among many other hits. His influence on the culture transcended kwaito since the release of his 1996 maiden album S’kumfete. He inspired the likes of kwaito giants like Mandoza as well as new-school rappers of the 2010s such as SAMA-nominated hip-hop star L-Tido and BET-nominated musician-cum-businessman Cassper Nyovest, who paid homage to him by naming his 2014 smash hit single from his platinum-selling debut album, Tsholofelo, after him.
Bogopane has left behind nine children, and the family has assured the public that funeral dates and whereabouts will be made known over the course of time.