Online Reporter
Mkhululi Ncube
RHUMBA never dies — it just gets better with age!
Veteran Rhumba kingpin Themba “Boyoyo” Mathe is bringing the heat back to the stage as he turns 51 this Saturday, with a no-holds-barred birthday bash set for Blue Lagoon in Bulawayo. Fans better come ready to dance till dawn!
The stage-hardened entertainer, who cut his teeth as a dancer under the late Ndux Malax before co-founding the iconic Mokis Connection, is set to headline a star-studded show featuring Dubia Masters, Ndux Junior, Titus Majaya, MaBhitso Sounds and more.
“This is a big day for me,” Boyoyo told B-Metro. “Baphathele iqhawe icake! Let the people come and celebrate with me.”
Known for his witty wordplay, sharp stage presence, and Rhumba anthems like Basiboy, Abafana Be Mokis, Wafa Wafa Mthakathi, and Masibanda, Boyoyo carved out a name as one of the genre’s most distinctive voices.
But it hasn’t been all smooth sailing. After splitting from Mokis Connection to form Mthimbani Sound Blasters, the legend hit a rough patch, battling health issues that impacted his vision and voice. Still, the fire in his belly never died.
“Indoda iwa isiya phambili. As long as I’m alive, I won’t give up,” he declared.
The upcoming show, organised by his management and die-hard fans, is not just a party, it’s a celebration of a legacy. Now based in Nathisa, Maphisa, Boyoyo juggles music and farming, proving he’s a man of many talents.
The father of six hinted that the next Boyoyo might already be in the making. “It’s too early to say, but one of my kids is showing signs,” he said with a smile.
And there’s more, Boyoyo is cooking up a new album titled Ngahle Ngeqa, dropping later this year.
This Saturday, Blue Lagoon will rumble as fans raise their glasses to a living legend who’s danced, sung, and inspired across generations.
Boyoyo is back. And he’s not done yet!
— @themkhust
