Another revival of Mgqumeni

10 February 2012 - 04:30 By CANAAN MDLETSHE
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Maskandi singer Khulekani Mseleku, popularly known as Mgqumeni, who was believed to be dead and buried in 2009, has suddenly made a shocking reappearance Picture: TEBOGO LETSIE
Maskandi singer Khulekani Mseleku, popularly known as Mgqumeni, who was believed to be dead and buried in 2009, has suddenly made a shocking reappearance Picture: TEBOGO LETSIE

Khulekani "Mgqumeni" Mseleku might be dead but his music is still very much alive. Sales of his recordings have rocketed since it was claimed the maskandi musician had been resurrected.

Sibusiso John Gcabashe attracted thousands of people to Nquthu in KwaZulu-Natal at the weekend when he claimed to be the singer.

Since then, the album Isecret, released after Mgqumeni's death, and pirated DVDs of his high-profile funeral are selling fast on the street.

The album's producer, Shobeni Khuzwayo, said yesterday that he had heard it was selling like hot cakes but could not specify the exact increase in sales.

"I was expecting sales to increase after the news that the singer was alive, but I can't be specific on the exact figures," he said.

Bekezela Masuku, a KwaZulu-Natal music promoter who worked with Mgqumeni, said the singer's last two albums had sold out in most music stores.

Mqgumeni's family knew about the sales increase but emphasised that they were getting nothing from it.

Mgqumeni's cousin, Nelisani Mseleku, said the family had been waiting for two years for royalties from sold albums. Payment had been delayed because the singer had not left a will, was unmarried and both his parents were dead.

"We even went to the Master of the High Court and were told that the transfer of Mgqumeni's royalties was being held back. We then approached a lawyer to assist us, but we have been waiting for two years and nothing is happening.

"I phoned [the lawyer] on Tuesday to find out what was delaying the process and he promised to come back to me, but he has not," Mseleku said.

Mseleku said the family had accepted that Mqgumeni was dead.

"It is becoming clearer to us as the family that all these reports and the mushrooming of people claiming to be Mgqumeni, or to know his whereabouts, are people who are after his wealth."

Mgqumeni died on December 19 2009 in Johannesburg.

He was buried at his maternal home in Nquthu in a high-profile funeral in early 2010.

But last week Gcabashe claimed to be Mgqumeni, and to have been held captive in a cave for two years with zombies.

He was arrested and charged with fraud and perjury.

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