Maskandi star Mkhathazi Nsibande has clarified his relationship with the 11 dancers who died in a horrific crash on KwaZulu-Natal’s N2 highway after a traditional music festival, saying they were no longer part of his troupe when the tragedy happened.
The dancers were among those travelling home after attending the Isibaya Ingoma Festival at Emkhandlwini Sports Grounds in eMpangeni. Their minibus taxi was involved in a head-on collision with a truck in the Nkodibe area near Mtubatuba at about 4am on Sunday.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli confirmed that 11 people died and nine others sustained serious injuries in the crash.
The minibus caught fire following the collision, with nine of the 11 victims burnt beyond recognition. Authorities have been working with the families to formally identify those who died.
The truck was reportedly travelling towards the uMfolozi sugar mill when the collision occurred.
Mkhathazi sets the record straight
The tragedy prompted questions about the dancers’ connection to Mkhathazi after the group performed at the same festival as the singer.
Mkhathazi has now explained that while some of the dancers had previously worked with him, they were no longer his troupe at the time of the accident.
“The dancers were no longer under me despite meeting them at the festival in eMpangeni,” Mkhathazi said.
According to the singer, the group was being led by 2 Stabane Dlamini, who was also killed in the crash.
Dlamini had previously been associated with Mkhathazi but had since become the leader of a traditional group from eMdletsheni.
“They were there under 2 Stabane, who was the leader of [Ushameni] traditional group, who was no longer my dancer,” Mkhathazi said.
Mkhathazi said the group had travelled to the festival to compete against other traditional groups before the Maskandi performances began.
He also stressed that their attendance was not dependent on whether he had been booked to perform.
A community left grieving
The deaths have sent shockwaves through communities in northern KwaZulu-Natal, where the dancers were known for participating in traditional music and dance competitions.
Mkhathazi said the group had also played a role in keeping young people occupied and away from social problems, including alcohol abuse and crime.
While clarifying that he was no longer responsible for the group, the musician said he remained affected by the loss and intended to support the bereaved families.
“We will visit families of all the deceased this coming Saturday,” he said.
Premier calls for caution on KZN roads
Premier Ntuli described the crash as a devastating loss for the affected families and community.
“This is a devastating tragedy that has robbed 11 families of their loved ones,” Ntuli said.
He extended his condolences to relatives and friends of those killed and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
The premier also thanked emergency workers, law enforcement officers and community members who responded to the crash.
Ntuli urged motorists to exercise additional caution when travelling during the early hours of the morning, warning that fatigue can affect driving ability.
He also called on motorists not to drive under the influence of alcohol and urged public transport operators to ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy.
Mtubatuba mayor Mxolisi Mthethwa was at the scene from the early hours of Sunday as emergency teams dealt with the aftermath.
The precise circumstances surrounding the collision remain under investigation.
For the families of the 11 victims, however, the immediate priority is identifying their loved ones and laying them to rest, while a northern KwaZulu-Natal community mourns a group of young performers whose journey home from a cultural event ended in tragedy.
