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SOUTH AFRICA’S Jabu Ndaba, who formed part of renowned afro pop group Malaika, died on Monday July 14 at Tshepong Hospital in the country’s Kleksdorp in the North West after a long battle with Tuberculosis.

According to an Sabcnews.com the artist grew up in Bethlehem in the Free State and later moved to live with his mother in Klerksdorp.

The report further said Malaika, in which Ndaba performed with fellow band members Tshedi Mholo and Bongani Nchang, won several awards including Sama’s and Kora’s since launching their career nine years ago.

The Afro pop musician who failed to travel with the group to Malawi recently started his music career as a member of a disbanded kwaito group Stouters. In 1995 the musician met Nchang at a studio owned by one of the local music fundis Turbo, with whom they became partners and formed VIP.

The Sabcnews.com report said however in 2003, the duo formed a brand new group with a whole new image, with an addition of female singer, Mholo. Malaika built itself into a powerful group the world over and has scooped over 15 awards, including the Metro FM, Sama, Kora and Channel O Awards.

Ndaba nevertheless due to his ill health, failed to attend several performances in the past couple of months and his last performance was in Australia in January.

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