‘Mgcini never faked a smile’

Langalakhe Mabena
The late Mgcini “Cal Vin” Nhliziyo’s brother Blessing Munyoro has described the deceased Hip Hop sensation as a free spirit who never pretended to be happy when he was not.

“One thing I loved about Mgcini is that he never pretended to be happy to try to excite someone, when he was ill-fated one could see and judge from his short temper but he was never a violent person,” said Munyoro.

This all comes after Cal Vin (Mgcini) was involved in a hit and run accident on Sunday 25 October, when the rapper reportedly jumped on a white Mazda Familia’s bonnet. The driver started driving slowly at first and later increased the speed.

The driver reportedly applied sudden brakes throwing Cal_vin in front of the car and running him over resulting in the Banjalo Abantu hitmaker dying at Mpilo hospital in the wee hours of that day (Sunday)due to injuries sustained.

Munyoro revealed that from a tender age, Mgcini always dreamt of becoming a singer.

“Many would say they wanted to be doctors, lawyers or teachers when they grow up, but Mgcini always maintained that he wanted to be a musician and I am glad my younger brother lived to it.

“It never surprised us that he grew up to be such a figure in Bulawayo’s arts industry because he was a hard worker, all he achieved by the time of his death is all by hard work and trusting in God,” said Munyoro.

With the motorist that knocked him down still at large, Munyoro on behalf of the family, revealed that they were praying that justice prevails.

“As a family we demand justice, the rest of Bulawayo is also supporting us in making sure that these criminals get arrested. My brother died a painful death, any person will be bitter because of such doing.

“Sudden death is so painful, it hurts more because Mgcini left two kids behind and sebezakhula bengamazi ubaba (they will grow up not knowing their dad),” said Munyoro.

Mgcini “Cal Vin” Nhliziyo was born on 15 December 1984.

He attended Mzinyathini Primary School in Esigodini, Mzingwane District, Matabeleland South for his primary education.

He enrolled for form one at Mandwandwe Secondary School and moved to David Livingstone Memorial Secondary School for form two and completed his Ordinary Level studies at the Presbyterian school.

Soon after school, he decided to venture into music and take it as a profession.

His first stage name was C Dog, a name which he was influenced to take by his producer friend Virus the Cyrus while they were recording at the late Papa Joe (Joe Maseko)’s studio.

He became born again and started doing Christian rap and traded as St Church Boi.

In 2014, he rebranded to Cal Vin and released his smash hit Bebengakholwa which was part of his Perfect Balance album. By the time of his death, Cal Vin had won over eight prestigious awards and received over fifteen nominations.

Some of his awards include Zim Hip Hop 2015 Album of the Year courtesy of his Year of the Vin project, and Best Male Artiste. In all the editions of the Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards, Cal Vin was the Outstanding Hip Hop Artiste winning the gong three times in a row.

“We will honour Cal Vin by naming the Outstanding Hip Hop award after him for this year. The award will now be called The Cal_vin Mgcini Nhliziyo Hip Hop Award,” said RoilBAA in a statement.

He will be laid to rest on Sunday 1 November.