Ugandans mourn South Africa’s music legend Pat Shange
By Correspondent
Ugandans who partied in late 1980s and early 1990s are in great sorrows; they are mourning the township bubblegum music legend Pat Shange, who is believed to have died on Tuesday after a short illness, but many believe it is Covid-19.
His childhood friend, Hendry Galela, confirmed the news live on Jozi FM on Thursday.
Pat Shange rose to prominence in the 80s and served Mzansi with timeless hits such as Sweet Mama, Casanova and Shayile Time.
Township bubblegum is a term for a synth-heavy dance-pop style popular in South African townships in the 1980s and early 1990s. His music became the soundtrack of many people’s lives with other music from the likes of Brenda Fassie and Chicco Twala.
Pat Shange, who died at the age of 65 on Tuesday 13 July, will be remembered next to Tsepo Tshola and Jonas Gwangwa.
“Pat Shange was so much a part of my childhood. I remember at my uncle’s wedding, his music was literally on repeat. The afro, the perm, those were the days. RIP Pat Shange,” said one fan.
The news of Pat Shange’s death was confirmed by his wife on Tuesday . Speaking to Sowetan-live on Tuesday, Patricia Shange confirmed that he passed away at Chris Hani Baragwaneth Hospital in Soweto after being hospitalized for COVID-19 related complications.
Patricia said that he was rushed to Chiawelo Clinic in Soweto on Saturday after not being able to breath but was stabilized and transferred to Chris Hana Baragwanath on Sunday.
Being married to Pat for 33 years, Patricia remembers him as a bubbly person who was loud and who loved jokes. She explained that she noticed he was quite frustrated because he couldn’t work due to lockdown.
“He recently released a mbaqanga album but it did not do well because of what is happening in the country. Not being able to work was really frustrating him.”
SHANGE’S LEGACY
Pat Shange was a soul and mbaqanga artist who rose to success in the 1970s and 1980s.He is also remembered as a township bubblegum artist. Township bubblegum became popular in South African townships in the 1980s and early 1990s. Some of his most memorable songs are Sweet Mama, Shayile Time and Casanova.