South African singer Busi Mhlongo‘s long struggle with cancer continues. I just got an email message from journalist Bongani Madondo (who has written about Mhlongo’s cancer before): “I am not sure, she will ever perform live again– and that is an understatement.”
In the video, above, you can see her performing live with the late Jabu Khanyile of Stimela (Bayete–thanks Andrea) who died of cancer in 2006.
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hey Sean! Jabu Khanyile headed the band Bayete, not Stimela (that was Ray Phiri, Coyote et al). Even better on YouTube is Busi during Urban Zulu tour at the Bassline in Johannesburg… with the great Bryce Wassie on drums. Check it out!
Oops. Thanks for noting Andrea. I normally get those things wrong. It must be the pollution in the West Village.
I saw the Urban Zulu videos, but I like the tone of this one better. — Sean
Thank you for posting this video , damn I forgot all about Busi (how could I?!!). My favourite song by uSisi Busi goes something like “Ndiya hamba ndibheka ngapheshya…” I used to bump it all the time before I left Mzantsi…I hope that if something does happen that there will be enough money to cover medical expenses etc because I remember they had a fundraiser for her sometime back , hosted by Thandiswa Mazwai and I watched a documentry on her where she spoke on some of the financial difficulties she was having since she was supporting everyone in her family …
This makes me sad. I just discovered Busi Mhlongo’s music a few days ago. She is magnificent. I hope she gets better, or at least does not suffer. She is a beautiful spirit.
Please can someone give me busi contact i know her from long time ago in Holland my childeren grow up with here she performed here many times thankx
hi ineke,
i am with busi right now, though she’s having a rest. please try me on my email
- madondob@gmail.com- i might be able to re-hook you up with her.
i would appreciate something in return as well: ma looking for a chap [ ex-music journalist] going by the name of Henk Tummers, in the Netherlands, i think he’s in Amsterdam specifically.
Busi and I have been trying to get hold of him for ten years now! Henk wrote the liner notes for Busi’s debut full abum, Bhabemu [ Munich Records, Netherlands] back in 1992-1993.
It’s imperative that we get hold of him.
You can also try me on my mobile: +27.[0]83.763.6134. You might know somebody who knows someone, y’know?
I knew Busi and her friend Vuyiswa in Toronto more than thirty years ago. I would love to be able to send her my best wishes.
bob,
check my response to ineke above.
get in touch– i might be able to reconnect you.
d’ya know a brilliant writer, poet, journaist in toronto or so, who knows or has written about busi in her “north american years” who might be able to do a short down memory essay on her?
pls hit me up.
ta.
-bongani.
hi bongani, u can google vusi moloi, a south african poet based in toronto, angakusiza ngokubhala ngobusi.