Maskandi Mtshengiseni Gcwensa dies

South Africa and Zimbabwe Maskandi fans have suffered another blow after  the popular an largely followed Maskandi Mtshengiseni "Indidane" Gcwensa died on Monday at Dundee Hospital.

Media reports from South Africa say he died aged 39  after a long illness.

The Multi-award winning maskandi star Mtshengiseni "Indidane" Gcwensa's voice will be missed by both the Zimbabwean particularly from Matabeleland and South African fans.

News that the singer had succumbed to illness left the little village of Umngeni in despair but were yet to spread in Zimbabwe.

His followers and relatives reportedly flocked to the Gcwensa homestead to comfort his family following the death.

He had been in and out of hospital since October last year. His publicist and manager, Veloh Bhengu, said he was suffering from TB. "He suffered from asthma from early childhood and later developed TB.

It's hard to accept that he is gone. He was a fighter.

"I ask his fans to keep on supporting his music and embrace his family in these difficult times."

Indidane was born and grew up in the KZN village near Umsinga.

He was close friends with the late popular maskandi singer Kwakhe "Mgqumeni" Mseleku-Khumalo.

They formed a maskandi group called Amagcokama early in 2000, but later became enemies, with each artist composing lyrics that taunted the other.

Indidane was also controversial for his war of words with another popular maskandi singer, Thokozani "Somnandi" Langa.

Indidane released 25 albums, many of which achieved gold status, with hits like Diona, Viva Ngedidane, Awusilona Idlamazi and Inyoni Yami.

He won 18 awards, most of them scooped at the South African Traditional Music Achievement awards.

He was married to Maziqubu Gcwensa and leaves behind more than 12 kids with different mothers.

Condolences poured in on radio stations and social media yesterday following news of Indidane's death.

Maskandi singer Zibokwakhe "Phuzekhemisi" Mnyandu said a dark cloud was hanging over traditional music singers. "We are losing a lot of traditional artists. His death will leave his fans shocked."