The South African music community is in mourning following the death of kwaito legend Simphiwe “General” Sibisi, a founding member of the iconic kwaito group Chiskop. Sibisi died on Sunday, 29 September 2024. He was 49.
Story Summary:
- Simphiwe ‘General’ Sibisi, a member of kwaito group Chiskop, has died at age 49.
- He succumbed to complications from stomach cancer surgery at Baragwanath Hospital.
- Sibisi was the last surviving member of Chiskop, marking the end of an era in kwaito music.
Simphiwe ‘General’ Sibisi dies: What’s the cause of death?
Sibisi passed away at Baragwanath Hospital due to complications following major surgery. According to his daughter, Zamokuhle Sibisi-Mguli, the kwaito star had been battling stomach cancer and had undergone a critical operation earlier in the morning.
Although the family remained hopeful, he suffered cardiac arrest shortly after lunch and sadly passed away.
“We were not expecting this,” Zamokuhle told Sunday World.
“He took a turn for the worse over the past few days and finally lost his brave battle earlier today.”
Simphiwe ‘General’ Sibisi biography
Sibisi, known affectionately as “General GTZ,” was one of the founding members of Chiskop, a group that helped shape and define the kwaito music scene in South Africa during the 1990s.
Chiskop, formed in the late 1980s by Sibisi, Mduduzi “Mandoza” Tshabalala, Sizwe “Lollipop” Motaung, and Sibusiso “SB-Bless” Thenjekwayo, rose to fame with hits like Abasazi, Klaimer, and Abantwana.
These tracks contributed significantly to South Africa’s cultural history and made Chiskop a household name in kwaito music.
Despite Chiskop not releasing an album for many years, their impact remained strong.
Sibisi worked with top producers like Mandla Spikiri and Gabriel “Gabi” le Roux and was deeply respected within the industry.
After Mandoza’s death in 2016, General Sibisi continued to support the legacy of the group, remaining active in the music scene.
Unfortunately, with his passing, the last original member of Chiskop is now gone.
Reactions to Sibisi’s death
The news of Sibisi’s death has been met with an outpouring of grief and tributes. Family, friends, and fans expressed shock and sadness at the loss. His daughter, Zamokuhle, shared:
“We understand that he was a larger-than-life figure to his fans, and we appreciate their support for his craft. At this time, we request time to grieve.”
Fans and music lovers across the nation have taken to social media to pay tribute to the late kwaito star, celebrating his immense contribution to the genre and his role in South Africa’s music history.
Here are some of our top picks:
