Sbu Malawyer Returns with New Album Mgazi and Festive Season Concerts

Kwaito music legend Sibusiso Ntshangase, widely known as Sbu Malawyer, has returned to the spotlight with a new album, Mgazi, and a series of festive season concerts across Johannesburg, Durban, and Mpumalanga under the theme “Vintage”. The release marks a fresh chapter for the artist after over 25 years in the industry and a period of feeling overlooked.

Although Mgazi was recorded in 2008, two of its key tracks, Ngiyababonga and Ubungekho, remained unreleased for 17 years. Sbu Malawyer explained that the timing was never right during a period when he felt rejected by the music industry. “I feel ready to release the music and try again,” he said. Ngiyababonga is a tribute to those who supported him during difficult times, including kwaito legend Mdu Masilela and his late friend Themba Mthombothi.

Sbu Malawyer is one of the pioneers of kwaito music in South Africa, but as new genres rose in popularity, his sound lost mainstream attention. Limited bookings and declining income led him to take a break from the industry. “I really struggled when kwaito was seen as no longer relevant,” he said. “I felt a dark cloud around me because the industry no longer wanted to hear anything from me.”

During that period, Sbu organised his own gigs to sustain his career, often facing logistical and financial challenges. Many events failed, creating conflicts with performers and leaving him without income or proper accommodation.

He credits fashion and thrifting for helping him survive and regain stability. A friend, Vusi Tshabalala, introduced him to thrifting, allowing Sbu to sell quality second-hand clothing in Newtown, Johannesburg. The emergence of amapiano music reignited interest in old-school kwaito, providing a renewed platform for artists like Sbu Malawyer.

With the release of Mgazi and upcoming concerts, Sbu Malawyer is confident that there is still a place for him in the evolving music scene. He combines nostalgia for kwaito’s golden era with new energy, proving that perseverance and adaptability can revive a legendary career.