RHUMBA ace Mxolisi “Mr Bones” Ndlovu is mourning his band member, Malimo “Malume” Sibanda who is said to have poisoned himself and died following family issues.
He was 32.
A distressed Mr Bones who is usually forthcoming to the media took almost a week to open up about this. The death (on June 23) came at a time that Mr Bones was preparing to announce the title of his forthcoming album to his fans on the last day of June. He had to put those plans on hold.
He said it was saddening as he had tried to assist Malimo with counselling after he opened up to him about the challenges he was facing, threatening to kill himself if they were not addressed.
“Am heartbroken about losing Malimo. He had challenges with his wife’s family who said the two were related hence they should separate. He did not take that well as he questioned why the issue was being raised now when they had been staying together for a long time.
“The situation escalated until the family of his wife took her back. This was the last straw for him as he told me that he was going to kill himself over the issue. I tried my level best to counsel him, but he was determined. He even bid farewell to some of his family members who also tried in vain to discourage him from killing himself,” said Mr Bones.
He said the late Malume who hailed from Gwamagwama in Plumtree is said to have drank unknown poison leading to his death.
Mr Bones said he worked with the late guitarist for five years.
“We called him Malume because most members in my band including myself are born by MaSibanda. We started working together in 2018 and he assisted me during live shows, playing the rhythm guitar.
“Our relationship grew until he was my main rhythm player for live shows,” he said.
Sibanda is expected to be buried this weekend with arrangements being finalised.
The Uvukile Umalambane composer said despite this loss, he will soldier on and will release his ninth album before the year ends.
In September last year, Mr Bones lost another band member, dancer Mthabisi “Mavikintuthu” Sibanda who was knifed to death by his girlfriend during a fight over some misunderstanding.
Chronicle
