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JOHANNESBURG- Malaika’s lead vocalist Tshedi Mholo is quitting the group, and this time it’s for good.

Mholo, who has been part of the group since 2003, is leaving to pursue her own ambitions that include her businesses, social-activism and a gospel music career. The singer, who hails from Lichtenburg, North West, said she’ll no longer perform under the banner of Malaika with immediate effect.

The group, which started with Mholo, Bongani Nchang and now late Jabu Ndaba, took the music scene by storm in the early 2000s as the-go-to Afro-pop group. Some of their big hits include Sebakanyana, Destiny, 2 Bob, Indoda Yempandla and Theledi among others. After Ndaba’s passing after a long illness in July 2008, the group continued to perform for a while as a duo but internal strife led to break-up. After that, Nchang began a solo career as a gospel artist.

In 2019, Nchang and Mholo reunited and Malaika continued to perform at different events just before the Covid-19 hit SA in March 2020.

Mholo had also pursued a solo career before, and she said taking the decision to leave the group for good was not easy for her.

“I wanted to leave no room for public speculation and to make it clear that the decision came from a positive place and no animosity was involved neither with my fellow band member, Bongani, the recording label management or partners broadly.

Malaika has been nothing short of an incredible journey of exponential growth, learning and self discovery. “It has been a dream coming true since we first took our baby steps into the studio with Bongani and the late Jabu.
“Collectively as a trio, we achieved far greater things that I never thought were possible. When we released our debut album in 2003, little did we know that one day we will be one of Africa’s most sought-after music groups,” Mholo said.

She said moving forward she had a long list of personal goals that she wanted to achieve in music and business. She said she felt it was time for her to transition into the next phase of her life outside of Malaika.

“In my very limited free time I get to juggle between the roles of being a mother of two, businesswoman and a social activist. I have been working hard behind the scenes to re-establish myself. I have been exploring other genres, including my personal favourite which is gospel music and I am excited about what is to come.”

“One thing that I have learned from being part of Malaika over the years was that life is too short to chase any dream a person might have. I hope my decision will serve as an inspiration to anyone out there who might be scared to chase their goals individually and independently.”- sowetan