Pioneer of Xitsonga traditional music buriede

She is gone forever, but she will be remembered through her music, which will live on forever...

Mogano Mudlayi Satimoni Ngomane (83), one of the country's most celebrated Tsonga traditional music icons, passed away a fortnight ago after a long but unspecified illness. She resided at Makhasa village outside Malamulele.

She made a name for herself in 1977 when she featured in the legendary Tsonga music icon, General MD Shirinda's hit song, Shihangalasi. She also thrilled revelers during Shirinda's live performances at venues like the Jabulani Amphi-theatre in Soweto.

Charles Ngomane, the granny's grandchild, who lived with her after the death of his father, said she was like a mother to him. "I relied on her for everything. She was everything to me and life will never be the same again," he said.

He said he found solace in the fact that his granny had decided to find a new home in the church. The presence of many ZCC members bore testimony that she was a staunch and faithful member of the church.

Ngomane was born in 1926 at Xigalo village outside Malamulele. She did her primary education at Xigalo.

She married Johannes Ngomane and they had 8 children together.