Grammy award winner Zakes Bantwini is grieving the death of his bass guitarist Lindani Mngoma.
Zakes is on tour in the UK. Lindani, popularly known as Batista, has been working with Zakes for more than a decade.
Batista, 47, was from KwaMashu in Durban and also worked at Zakes’ Mayonie Productions as a tour manager.
Speaking to TshisaLIVE, the Osama hitmaker said he is heartbroken as they achieved a lot in and out of music and he regarded him as his brother.
“We are grief-stricken. He was a pillar of the band. His death came as a shock to us. I am out of the country. I will be going home soon to be with the band and in touch with his family. Let’s give his family privacy to mourn in peace.”
Kwaito star Lvovo Derrango also poured his heart out about Batista. “He was a cool guy to work with and had cemented his craft as a bass guitarist through his association with Zakes. Condolences to his family and friends.”
Details of the cause of death are still unknown.
Last year, Zakes suffered a huge loss with the death of his father Sihlangushile Jeffrey Khanyile at the age of 65.