09-07-2025
S'bu Malawyer celebrates 30 years of Kwaito with star-studded show
He is one of the pioneers of Kwaito music.
From signature 'spoties', Chuck Tailors, Dickies paired with pantsula dance moves, he embodied the culture and he was right there with the likes of Trompies, Mandoza, Brown Dash, and TKZee championing for the legacy of Kwaito music.
Last year, he released the album titled Celebrating 25 Years In The Game. This year, multi-award-winning Kwaito legend Sibusiso Ntshangase (53), fondly known as S'bu Malawyer, plans to host the 25th anniversary celebration at Eyethu Lifestyle Centre on 2 August 2025, along with a theatre production.
The Zola, Soweto-born veteran, plans to gather his close music industry friends for one night in concert, going down memory lane with some of his hits.
He will be joined by other Kwaito legends who have paved the way for the youth.
'The music industry has changed and evolved it's not a bad thing. But we must never forget where we come from, our roots and the music that made us,' S'bu Malawyer tells Drum.
'This event is a celebration of living and late legends. Even though the album was nominated for the SAMA awards in 2024. I feel like there is still much more to be done with it.'
This year also marks 30 years of Kwaito music being in existence, Sbu will also be putting together a theatre production marking the three decades.
'Kwaito has contributed to the new age Amapiano, production marks three decades of Kwaito music being in existence, and the people who contributed to the culture.
In the early days as a young star in the making, Sbu dropped out of college to pursue his passion for music. He joined Gibson Kente's stage show 'What A Shame'.
He was later introduced to the music maestro Chicco Twala by Lindelani Mkhize. S'bu has been able to immerse himself in the serious side of culture as well as being at the forefront of contemporary music, particularly kwaito.
'This is why a theatre production makes sense because of where I come from and my history.'
