Tokollo Magesh Tshabalala

Tokollo Tshabalala also known as "Magesh" was born 14 October 1976  in Johannesburg South Africa, he passed on 15 August 2022. Magesh was a South African musician and a founding member of the iconic kwaito group TKZee. Renowned for his charismatic stage presence and lyrical prowess, he played a pivotal role in popularizing kwaito music during the late 1990s and early 2000s also known as the greatest kwaito lyricist of all time. He was the son of soccer legend Stanley "Screamer" Tshabalala.

Magesh was in the original Mashamplani in 1995, alongside legendary Mdu Masilela, S’bu, and pro ngubane. Magesh then formed the group TKZee with friends and  schoolmates Kabelo Mabalane and Zwai Bala at St Stithians College in Sandton, Johannesburg. TKZee's debut album, Take It Eezy, was released in 1996. The trio quickly gained popularity with their debut single Phalafala in 1997, which became a massive hit. Their subsequent releases, including Shibobo (1998), a collaboration with then-Bafaba Bafana striker Benni McCarthy, solidified their status in the South African music scene. Later in 1998, they released their first full album, the critically acclaimed Halloween, which became a huge hit with smash singles Dlala Mapansula, " Mambotjie & We Love This Place. The album was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa(RISA), with over 200 000 copies sold and four South African Music Awards (SAMA) for Best Kwaito Album, Best Duo/Group, Best Single and Best Kwaito Single.TKZee released more albums, Guz 2001, Trinity, Guz Hits and Coming Home.

Magesh launched his solo career at the turn of the millennium after the initial success of TKZee. In 2000, he released his debut album Ndabezitha, which featured the hit Indlovu Iyangena and established him as a serious force in the kwaito scene beyond the group. Two years later, in 2002, he returned with Gusheshe, under Columbia and Electromode, a project that carried his signature lyrical style and energy. That same year, he teamed up with fellow kwaito giants Kabelo and Mandoza on the collaborative album All In One, which produced the single It’s All Right, a track that captured the era’s sound of township youth culture.

By 2004, he released Waarheid (Is’kathi), also released Sgubh' Sam with Zwai Bala, Khala Kahle and in 2006 he came back with The Longest Time. He was the co-owner of Heist Entertainment. His consistency was further evident in 2014 with the release of The Hit Man, which became his last major solo project. Tokollo Tshabalala died on 15 August 2022 at the age of 45. According to a statement from his family, he died from an epileptic seizure at his home in Johannesburg.