Mqoqi “Mxhe” Nkomo who was the leader of one of Sabela Music Projects’ flagship acts, Umdumo Wesizwe, has died.
Nkomo who was also popularly known as Kento, died on Friday at Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo after a short illness.
“God has broken our hearts to prove to us that he only takes the best. What moves through us is a silence, a quiet sadness, a longing for one more day, one more word, one more song. We may not understand why you left this earth so soon, or why you left before we were ready to say good-bye, but little by little, we begin to realise not just that you died, but that you lived,” said Sabela Music Projects director, Saimon Mambazo Phiri.
Phiri said Nkomo’s life had given them memories too beautiful to forget and they will always remember him through all the happiness and struggles.
He said Nkmo was born in July 1978 at Mpilo Hospital and was the second born in a family of five siblings.
He did his primary education at Magwegwe, Mahlabezulu and Mabhukudwana Primary schools. He went on to do his secondary education at Milton High between 1992 and 1995.
“Mqoqi, God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be. So He put His arms around you and whispered, ‘come to me, woza kimi.’ With tearful eyes we watched you and saw you pass away. Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, the irreplaceable ‘igusheshe’ voice silenced, hardworking hands at rest. Rest in Peace,” wrote Phiri in an emotional condolence message.
Nkomo started singing with Mabhukudwana Primary School choir and later formed Otshomi music group while at Milton High and he had a leading role in the formation and existence of Amaqhawe Omculo.
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He had a stint with Amabhubesi juniors, and was the founder of Umdumo Wezilo. He then founded and led Umdumo Wesizwe on August 12 1994.
Phiri said among some of Nkomo’s professional achievements were winning The Old Mutual Choral Competition and taking second spot in Friday Live at Amakhosi competition.
He toured Europe with Umdumo Wesizwe and released two albums, Nqingqo and Qo with Sabela Music Projects.
“He also collaborated with British singer Janet Wood and Umdumo Wesizwe in the album Together, Thina Sisonke and his silver jubilee dedication to the people of Zimbabwe, called Prince and Princelo was never released,” added Phiri.
Nkomo was buried yesterday at the Luveve Old Cemetery in Bulawayo after a farewell service had been conducted at his home in Nkulumane.
