Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
THIS year marks three years without the late Gqom and Kwaito icon Mampintsha (real name Mandla Maphumulo) and his dear friend and music promoter, Marshall “Gesh” Mpofu has made it his life-long pledge to honour his legacy by curating an annual, “All white party” in Mampintsha’s honour.
This year won’t be any exception as the tradition continues. Since 2022, the Gesh23 Productions boss has been remembering his late friend the only way he knows how, through playing his music at a gig to celebrate Mampintsha’s life at his Something 23 Tshisanyama joint.
Gesh 23 promised lovers of Shimora (one of Mampintsha’s nicknames) unbridled fun on Christmas Eve, where Dumi the DJ will be the headline act, supported by DJs Banda, Fatsi, Nico, and Koro.
“I grew up with Mampintsha, Danger, and Bhar, and I vividly remember how close-knit we were as brothers back in South Africa,” Mpofu said. “We have memories together, and as I could not make it to the funeral, I will be celebrating his life through a gig where we will only be playing Durban music to honour his life. It is unfortunate that I lost the pictures I had of him and me.”
Mpofu took a trip down memory lane, sharing anecdotes from their formative years in the music industry, particularly the birth of Afrotainment, the powerhouse that nurtured Mampintsha and his fellow Big Nuz members, Danger and the late R Mashesha.
He recounted a memorable day when they were all together at Times Square, hungry and in need of food.
“There was another guy named Keith, also known as Why Not, who owned taxis. He approached us with a proposal to buy food for us in exchange for us giving it a try in the music sector as he was about to establish a recording label with DJ Tira, and that is how Afrotainment came about.”
Gesh, as he is known, reflected on the many encounters he shared with the Afrotainment family, especially during their tours.
“I remember another day when Big Nuz toured. We were in Harare and Mampintsha was paranoid about the security where we were booked. He took the keys to our room but lost his wallet, and we ended up sleeping at the reception. I remember shouting at him for that. It was a scary but funny experience. It is one of my fondest memories with him,” Mpofu added.
Over the years, Mpofu has earned a reputation as a man who can pull the proverbial rabbit out of the hat, consistently entangling hard-to-get artists from South Africa into his events in Bulawayo. His relationships in the industry are solid, with many stars expressing respect for him due to the kindness he showed them during their rise.
Mampintsha and Big Nuz revolutionised the Kwaito and Gqom genres, making it clear that finding an equal replacement will be hard, if not impossible.
The “All White Party” reminds fans of the impact Mampintsha left on the music world and the unwavering dedication of friends like Marshall “Gesh” Mpofu to keep that spirit alive. – Follow on X @MbuleloMpofu
