Malaika duo in stage confrontation over new female vocalist Tsoakae Molipa

PRETORIA – There was drama at Marks Pub and Shisanyama in Pretoria after exiled Malaika member Matshediso Mholo walked on stage and demanded the microphone from a new female vocalist hired by fellow group member Bongani Nchang, as the two continue to fight over the group’s fate.

Nchang and Mholo were once part of the legendary Malaika as a trio, but have not performed in the group’s original form since the passing of Jabulani Ndaba in 2008 and Tshedi’s departure from the group in 2021.

In the wake of their unceremonious breakup, Nchang recruited Tsoakae Molipa as a new member of the group.

However, Mholo has not accepted this new composition of the group, leading to conflict between her and Nchang.

In an interview, she revealed that she had interrupted the performance on Sunday, 4 October, because she was still a member of the group.

She said she was seated in the VIP area, and when Malaika went on stage, she decided to join them because, in her words, she is still part of the duo.

“I was only requesting the lady to hand me the mic because I wanted to enjoy the moment with her, and it turned out the way people are viewing it. I was not there for animosity,” she said.

Tshedi added that since questions have been raised, she wants to clarify her position.

“Malaika is Tshedi, Jabu and Bongani. The songs belong to Malaika. It is a business name, and we are all earning royalties, excluding this new lady.

“I’m still earning royalties to date. For any performances that are happening under the banner of the group, I’m entitled to the share which I never got.”

Meanwhile, Nchang said he had been waiting for drama from Mholo for years.

“Last year December, she said that she’d come to one of our shows to cause drama. When we got to the venue, we were alerted that she was present. She came on stage when we were performing our last song, and she wanted us to hand her the mic,” he said.

“She went to the DJ, wanting to stop the music. She then went to my wife, who was standing next to the stage and assaulted her, also calling her names,” he said.

Nchang said he was embarrassed by her former group member’s behavior.

“I pity her more than anything because this is the person who quit the group. She said that I can replace her and that she wants nothing to do with the group.

“She wasn’t fired; she wasn’t ill-treated. We were even doing gigs together, and out of the blue, she decided to quit.”