Cultural and political activist Hlengani Phineas Mahlawule, who has performed internationally, has died after thrilling audiences for 45 years.

Mahlawule (60) died at Nkhensani Hospital last Thursday after a short illness.

Mahlawule had been playing “Xigubu” (drum) since 1962 and had become a cultural icon with a huge following.

Mirror visited his family at Shivulani outside Giyani and found a family that was proud by the dead man’s achievements. His eldest son, Bennet, a school teacher, said what he had not achieved was not worth achieving. “He left school after standard three, but became an icon who dined with kings.”

Bennet said Mahlawule had taught his family to take their XiTsonga culture seriously and the same was to be done with education. Three of his 15 children are teachers, but they belong to the group Xigubu Xa Mahlawule Na Vafana Va Moya.

Bennet and second-born son Solias are also running popular cultural groups in their respective schools.

Before the advent of democracy, Mahlawule and his group performed for ANC legends Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and Oliver Tambo when they visited Giyani on separate occasions.

At the time, he thrilled audiences when he compared the past dispensation with cholera.

Mahlawule had traveled extensively and had performed at international festivals in places such as North America, Cyprus and Greece.

Recently he cut his first CD, titled Mahlawule Na Xigubu Xa Moya.