Paul Ndlovu, The unforgettable King Of Tsonga Disco

The community of Lulekani and neighbouring villages are celebrating and honouring the legacy of Xitsonga Disco Music icon, the late Paul Ndlovu.

Paul Ndlovu would have turned 68 today. He died tragically at the age of 32 in 1986 after bullets were fired at the car he was traveling in and overturned.

Before going solo, Paul was the member of The Big Cats and later The Cannibals in the late 70s and moved onto a duo called The Street Kids in the early 80s.

Together with Oupa Pooho, they formed a group called Street Kids. The group unleashed two smash hits – Game Number One and Mosadi wa Dikutswane.

It was clear that the Shangaan disco music king had arrived. Paul’s trademark was his sailor’s cap. The crowds loved this humble star from the North. Ndlovu had a meteoric rise to fame in 1985 with his single, Khombora Mina, which attained gold status.

Ndlovu was also one of the founding members of Stimela. His meteoric rise to fame came in 1985 as a solo artist when he released his first single, Khombo Ra Mina.

The full album, which also had hits such as Hi ta Famaba Moyeni, Mukon’wana and Tsakani followed later. The hits also helped to make him a household name in the South African music industry. In 1986, he released Cool me Down, just before his tragic death.

His solo career was brought to an abrupt end in September 1986 when he died. Paul’s music was produced by Lefty Rikhotso and Peter Maticoe.

In early 1987, Chicco Twala released a hit single called “Tribute to our Heroes” in honour of Ndlovu, Arthur Mayisela and Samora Machel. Another tribute song was recorded by his backing group, Modilo. The single was called “Etlela ku lungha mukon’wana”.