Singer Candy Tsa Mandebele remembers her late son on his birthday

Losing a child has to be every parent’s worst nightmare come true. The truth is, a parent never stops mourning the passing of their child, no matter how many years have rolled on by.

One parent who knows the pain all too well is singer Candy Tsa Mandebele. The Madzedze hitmaker has had to overcome some hardships in her life including the tragic loss of her eldest Lesley Mokwena, who died in a accident back in 2011. Lesley was only 24-years old when he passed on.

Candy took to her Instagram account to pen a heartfelt message about missing him. She wished him a happy heavenly birthday. The singer said his daughter was only 5 months old when he left them but now she will be turning 11 years old very soon.

“On this day 13. 01.1987 my Prince was born, May your soul Rest In perfect Peace son. Your daughter our first Princess ? Sehlora Alicia #yourphotocopy now, she was 5 months old when you left us in this world, she will be tuning 11 on the 15th March 2022. while a little piece of my heart went to heaven along with you, I smile through the tears and heartache. You, my sweet son, brought me so much happiness in your short time here.

Your little Princes, family and your friends wishes you Happy heavenly birthday ???son, if anyone ask how I feel right now I’ll definitely say ‘m okay and knowing that your safe in God’s kingdom,” she wrote.

Singer Candy Tsa Mandebele accused of theft

Limpopo Artists Movement (LAM) is investigating Candy Tsa Mandebele.

This after up-and-coming artist Sharon “ShazyB” Masetla accused her of stealing her song Mmabhula.

ShazyB told Daily Sun that she composed the song last year and wanted to release it on her birthday.

“I met Candy last June. She was heading to a project to distribute clothes, shoes and blankets to disadvantaged communities. We ended up exchanging contact numbers,” said ShazyB.

“We then started talking. Because I trusted her, I started opening up to her. A few weeks later I told her that I was working on Mmabhula and forwarded it to her. I wanted her to listen to the song and possibly give feedback. At the time, I had not mastered it,” said ShazyB.
But she was surprised when Candy released her song as if it was hers.

“I had plans to release the song in April on my birthday, but I learnt that Candy had already released it,” she added.

Out of frustration, she expressed her anger on her Instagram account and wrote: “After sharing this song with Candy Tsa Mandebele last year, before mastering it, she decided to beat me at my own game. We’re no longer releasing it as she will obviously twist my words. But I’ll share the concept with you. She didn’t tell my story; ono tsea mola le mola [you sampled here and there], whereas mine is about a girl who is entering womanhood.”

She said she tried to talk to Candy, but she ignored her.

“I even tagged her on Instagram, but she blocked and then reported me for harassment her,” said ShazyB.

Candy said: “I don’t know her and I don’t know what she’s talking about. But I’m aware that someone has lodged a case against me at the Limpopo Artists movement.”

LAM chairperson Mphoza Mashabela said: “We have received the complaint and have engaged with both Candy and ShazyB. Candy has denied the allegations. Next week we will meet with both parties and the department of Sports, Arts and Culture to resolve the matter.”

According to Mphoza, ShazyB just wanted her song back.

Singer Candy Tsa Mandebele hits rock bottom, moves back to the rural area

Times are tough for millions of South Africans and one of them is music sensation Candy Tsa Mandebele who has made the difficult decision of moving back home.

The nationwide lockdown due to the global pandemic has caused many people to lose out on their income and livelihoods. When the new normal started Candy Tsa Mandebele had been hit very hard. Due to the pandemic, many artist’s main source of income, which was performing on stages and clubs, were barred so their pockets were hit very hard.

At some point, Candy had to rely on R600 from her elderly mother to buy groceries, as she could not afford them. “I applied for relief from the department of sports, arts and culture but haven’t received anything. It is difficult,” she told TshisaLive at the time.

Minister Bathabile Dlamini also sent her a food voucher to help her through these difficult times. With all the help she has been receiving, she still had to make the decision of packing her belongings and head straight home which is in Bolobedu, Limpopo.

On Facebook she released a statement where she details why she decided to move. In a separate post she wrote that she had to move from Johannesburg after living there for 25 years, “Packing my belongings after 25 years in Gauteng due to COVID-19 was not easy but I had to.”

The statement reads: “Candy Tsa Mandebele, like many entertainers in the South African entertainment industry, had a difficult choice to make, she packed her belongings and moved to her house in Bolobedu in Limpopo, opting to operate her business remotely from the comfort of her quiet Gasedibeni Village House While this is not a permanent move, Candy Tsamandebele is happy to be at home with her granddaughter and the entire family.”

Superstar Sjava also had to relocate home to his mom in KwaZulu-Natal.

“We are not getting paid, we can’t work…so this is a very difficult time for artists right now. Truly speaking, we don’t know what we’re going to do now – our things have stopped.

“I’m even back home because I can’t make money. We’ve been suffering, we’re from the bottom – the ghetto – I’m sure we’ll survive.”

Linda Sebezo also had been hit hard and was not embarrassed to voice out her hardships. “It never rains but pours. I just received an email that my application to the Basa relief fund has been declined because they have reached capacity. I ask again, sizolithaphi ke usizo?…I have to rely on my mother’s pension to put food on the table, such a sad reality,” she said in a Facebook post.