Soul Brothers member passes awayA MEMBER of the legendary group Soul Brothers passes away.
Ndaba July Mhlabane (73) died in hospital on Thursday, 19 December.
According to Ndaba’s son, Soletfu (38), his father was sick.
He said the day his dad passed away, some of his kids and grandkids were at the hospital and were able to say goodbye.
“One of his granddaughters managed to fly in from Netherlands and she spoke to him just before he passed,” he said.
Soletfu said the family is hurt.
He said the memorial service will be held at the State Theatre in Tshwane on Monday, 23 December and his funeral service will be held at his home in Acardia, Tshwane onNdaba was a hornsman for the Soul Brothers Brass Band, which dedicated an album to all Soul Brothers.
The Soul Brothers, which was formed in the 70s, helped to shape the sound of mbaqanga music.
The group also released a statement regarding Ndaba’s death.
“It is with pain and sadness to announce to you the untimely passing of one of our longstanding hornsmen, Ndaba July Mhlabane. July, who was born in Baberton in 1951 joined the band in 1992 and blew the saxophone along giants like Thomas Phale, Javas Magubane, Boy Mpungose and Lemmy Special Mabaso,” they said.
They said he was a very disciplined member who was very punctual and was a perfectionist par excellence.
“In the last few years, he took it upon himself to mentor our young saxophonists about our style of playing mbaqanga. He will be missed dearly by the band for his smile, kind heart and his favourite catchy line, “uyaphi lapho, uzobuya nobani”,” they said.