Mpho Tshabalala, the wife of the late South African Kwaito icon, Mandoza — real name Thembinkosi Edmund Tshabalala, shared a heartfelt tribute to her late husband, honouring him on his “heavenly birthday” as seen via an Instagram post shared on his birthday, 17 January.The Soweto-born late icon was born on 17 January 1978. He then died on 18 September 2016 at the age of 38. According to BBC, a few weeks before he passed away, he took to the stage for the last time and performed at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, despite having lost his sight due to an illness.His wife, Mpho, has recently taken to Instagram to wish him a happy “heavenly birthday”. Mandoza’s birthday this year marked his eighth year since he died.

“Mshengu Tshabalala it still feels strange celebrating your birthday without you. 💔🎂❤️ But I know your spirit moves with me daily 🙏🏾 happy 8th heavenly birthday. May you keep on being the amazing star you have been,” Mpho penned on her feed.In November last year, Mandoza’s family accepted his Lifetime Achievement Award at the 29th SA Music Awards (SAMA29) on his behalf.

“I have mixed emotions. We are definitely happy about the award and wish he was here to receive it and feel it. But God’s plans were different. It’s been a rollercoaster. This was a husband and father who had been there from day one,” TshisaLIVE quoted Mpho as saying at the time.