Kabelo Mabalane Delays Long-Awaited Album To Honour Magesh On 50th Heavenly Birthday. Music veteran Kabelo Mabalane has postponed the release of his long-awaited new album, choosing to give his late TKZee bandmate Tokollo “Magesh” Tshabalala the spotlight on what would have been the kwaito legend’s 50th birthday.
Originally scheduled to arrive on Wednesday, 14 October, the album will now be released on 30 October. Mabalane announced the change in an emotional video message shared on Wednesday morning, explaining that the outpouring of love for Magesh convinced him to give the late musician the recognition he deserves without competing for attention.
“There’s no coincidence that my album release was set for Magesh’s 50th birthday,” Kabelo Mabalane wrote. “But the love for Magesh poured in through the DMs, it became clear the album needed to pause to give him his full flowers without distraction. New album release date is 30 October. FOR REAL THIS TIME!”
In the nearly three-minute video, filmed in a studio, Mabalane reflected on the bond he shared with Magesh and the dreams they nurtured long before becoming household names. He described his former bandmate as “undoubtedly the greatest kwaito artist of all time” and “the greatest kwaito lyricist of all time.”
Taking a trip down memory lane, Mabalane recalled their early days in 1996, when the two would spend time dreaming about the future at the back of Magesh’s mother’s house.
“We would be dreaming, smoking weed and carrying on… everything we spoke about, every single thing that we dreamed about, came to pass,” he said.
The reflection also brought renewed meaning to a lyric Mabalane penned in 2004: “1996 I was there and 2026 I’d still be there.” For the musician, the words capture a journey that has spanned three decades, with the opportunity to continue celebrating the legacy they helped build together.
As part of the birthday tribute, Mabalane also announced a special track from his forthcoming album titled “Ma Gash Is Beethoven.” The title reflects the high regard in which he holds Magesh, whom he described as “the Beethoven of our generation.” The track is available for download immediately.
Born on 14 October 1976, Magesh became a defining voice in South African music as one-third of TKZee, alongside Mabalane and Zwai Bala. The pioneering trio helped shape the kwaito movement with popular songs such as “Phalafala,” “Shibobo” and “We Love This Place,” leaving an enduring mark on the country’s musical landscape.
Magesh died on 15 August 2022, aged 45, following an epileptic seizure. His influence, however, continues to resonate with listeners and fellow musicians, with tributes pouring in on what would have been his milestone birthday.
