Oupa âÂÂMakhendlasâ Mafokate (born 22 December 1970) was a pioneering South African Kwaito musician from Soweto, best known for the hit singles âÂÂIminwe,â âÂÂO Skatataâ and âÂÂLefatshe Lee Kela Makhendlas.â He was one of the first Black artists to gain national Kwaito prominence under the 999 Records label, founded by his brother Arthur Mafokate.
His second album, Jwaleng (1997), featured the socially-themed title track Otla shwela jwaleng (âÂÂCheck out you party animalâ¦âÂÂ) as well as the single âÂÂJealous,â both of which became staples on township dance floors.
In late 1998 he released the single Iminwe Phezulu (âÂÂHands upâÂÂ), which was celebrated by fans and later referred to by Arthur Mafokate as a âÂÂnational anthem.âÂÂ
Oupa Mafokate, known by his stage name "Makhendlas", was a brother to Arthur Mafokate. He was born and raised in Chiawelo, Soweto. He is the son of Olympic equestrian and philanthropist Enos Mafokate. He joined his brother's 999 record label and released two albums under it.
On 31 October 1998, Mafokate was due to headline a concert in Tonga (now Mbombela). According to his label manager Mpho Makhetha, the event turned violent when a fan began harassing MafokateâÂÂs crew. In the ensuing brawl, Mafokate âÂÂwhipped out his gun and pumped three bullets into the troublesome man,â then, overwhelmed by grief and confusion, turned the weapon on himself and died by suicide at age 28. Makhetha later defended MafokateâÂÂs carrying of a firearm as a response to the industryâÂÂs lack of security for township artists.
Annual tributes: Each 31 October, Arthur Mafokate and fans commemorate his brotherâÂÂs death. On the 18th anniversary in 2016, Arthur posted on Instagram: