24/08/2022
Press Release:
Sello Vincent Montwedi (30th May 1963 – 19th August 2022)
On Friday, the 19th of August we lost one of the country’s most talented drummers and a prolific musician, Sello Montwedi. The 59-year-old musician passed away in his home in Klerksdorp due to heart complication and will be sorely missed. Sello Montwedi is mostly known for his work with iconic and legendary musicians, Louis Mhlanga, Sipho Mabuse, the late Jabu Khanyile, Hugh Masekela, Sibongile Khumalo, Moses Molelekwa and many others.
Born in the small town of Jouberton in 1963, Montwedi became a mineworker at the age of 19. His calling however, was music. He soon joined the Mine’s Minstrels Band where he honed his talent before moving to Johannesburg to explore the possibilities of its burgeoning and vibrant 1980’s music scene. Self-taught in boyhood from drumming on tins, the determined Montwedi began his professional career as a studio session drummer for musicians contracted under the RPM label, before going on to join such historically outstanding bands as Harari, Bayete and Sankomota.
Alongside Sipho Mabuse, Fana Zulu, Jabu Khanyile and Frank Leepa, Montwedi performed and recorded a body of work between 1985 and 1993 that is considered an epitome of Southern African musical heritage of the era. Sankomota’s album ‘After the Storm’ (1993) bridged all cultural boundaries becoming a soundtrack to the euphoria of South Africa’s political transition, as well as gaining huge popularity abroad. In the 1990’s Sello Montwedi continued to be the creative force of drum accompaniments on various top albums including “Thank You For Listening” (Sipho Gumede), “On Friendly Basses” (Bakithi Khumalo), and “The Village Pope” (Tsepo Tshola).
In 1996 Sello was paralysed by a head injury in a road accident that claimed the lives of four of his Sankomota bandmates. Remarkably, with intensive physiotherapy, he was able to recover - a testament to both his physical and spiritual tenacity. Encouraged by his peers, and in particular Fana Zulu, a year later he was back in form at the Afrika Oye! concert at Johannesburg City Hall. That same year he went on to perform with Moses Taiwa Molelekwa at the Fin de Siecle festival in Nantes, France, together with Kaya Mahlangu and Fana Zulu. The series of rehearsals and performances were released in 2004 as a video documentary.
In the past 25 years the prolific drummer has supported top artists including Hugh Masekela, Louis Mhlanga and Sibongile Khumalo, on stage and in the studio. Humble, kind and passionate Sello equally dedicated much of his time to the development of young artists in his community. Where there was Sello Montwedi there was a beat, a smile, a song. His single-minded focus on the ‘work’ was as infectious as his humour. The music fraternity mourn his loss deeply. He will be remembered by family, friends, colleagues and audiences alike as a master of his craft and a gentleman.
Discography:
● Harari – Heartbeat (Rufaro, 1985).
● Harari – Bad Boys (Gallo, 1986).
● Sipho Mabuse – Sipho Mabuse (Virgin, 1987).
● Bakithi Khumalo – On A Friendly Basses (Flame, 1990).
● Sipho Gumede – Thank You For Listening (African Echoes, 1990).
● Tsepo Tshola – The Village Pope (CCP Records, 1993).
● Sankomota – After the Storm (Moki Music, 1993).
● Sibongile Khumalo – Immortal Secrets (Sony Music, 2000).
● Hugh Masekela – Time (Chissa Records, 2002).
● Moses Taiwa Molelekwa – Live At The Sin De Siecle Festival, Nantes (Melt 2000, 2003).
● Hugh Masekela – Revival (Heads Up International, 2003)
● Louis Mhlanga - Shamwari / Louis Mhlanga - Tinganekwane / Louis Mhlanga - World Traveler.
A local Klergsdorp Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, 25th August 2022, at Jouberton Hall, Klerksdorp at 14h00. Artist associates in Johannesburg will present an additional Memorial Service at a later date to be announced in months to come.
The Funeral Service will take place on Saturday, 27th August 2022 at the Klerksdorp Town Hall commencing at 08h00.
Sello is the beloved son of the late Mr. Nathaniel Mazondo Mahlangu, and the living matriarch, Mrs Kenalemang Jeannette Mahlangu. Sello is now a beacon of light for his surviving family. In addition to his adored mother, Mrs Kenalemang Jeannette Mahlangu, he is survived by his three brothers - Mpho Matthews Montwedi, Motsamae Makgetla and Kapoko Makgetla, his sister Nomathemba Kapentane. He was also a devoted father to his three children - Letlhogonolo Mmusi Montwedi, Tokelo Kgalalelo Montwedi and Kgatontle Mneno, and a loyal loving life partner to Mamotse Mneno.
