WeeklySA_AdminPat Shange: Joining the celestial choir
By Gugu Sibiya
He’s said to have complained of feeling extremely cold before he was rushed to Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital in Soweto. He never came back, passing away two days later from diabetes-related complications.
Shange’s repertoire kept the cash register ringing. However it was his larger than life stage performances and spellbinding moves that thrust him ahead of the pack. An artist who came into the fanfare of showbiz when festivals featured prominently on music lovers’ diaries.
Performing along crème de la crème stars such as the late Brenda Fassie, Chicco, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Cheek to Cheek, and Mercy Pakela to name a few. He distinguished himself with his captivating moves and memorable sets. Now he’s gone!
Taking a turn down memory lane, struggle Artist Blondie Makhene says he had the utmost respect for Shange’s craftsmanship. “I got to know him well from bumping into him at festivals whenever we were sharing the stage. What I enjoyed the most were our backstage chats. We had a lot in common as artists and those heart to heart were reflective of our times.
“What I can attest to is that Pat was one of the best performers I’ve ever seen. He was electrifying and he made sure that if he performs before Blondie, he killed it. When he wrapped up, he ensured that the crowd was blown away every minute he’d been on stage. Man, Pat had the moves” Makhene exclaims.
Phil Hollis who owned Dephon Promotions and Publishing, which was known for producing some of the cream of the crop stars in the country, says Shange’s death is a blow to him.
“Pat was 19-years old when I signed him up. We met in Pietermaritzburg while he was with the Juveniles. I brought him to Joburg, got him an ID and a place to stay. That’s how much I believed in him.
“He changed gears from mbaqanga to pop. Sweet Mama was the hit that launched him in a big way. I’m not your Casanova cemented his foothold in the industry.
He won lots of awards and hearts because of his amazing stage performance.
“He and I did business together. Beyond that, we were friends. I’m really sad” says an emotional Hollis about the singer he’s befriended for 41-years.
Shange might have not performed for a long time but he never left showbiz. Together with Hollis, continued hosting empowerment workshops for emerging talent. Minister Nathi Mthethwa presented him with Indondo yeHertitage and a certificate of excellence in 2014.
Shange is survived by his daughter, Ayanda. He will be buried in his home town of SweetWater in Pietermartzburg.
