There is deep mourning in the music fraternity in two countries, Kenya and DR Congo, following the death of a legendary former Les Mangelepa Band guitarist. Twikale wa Twikale Kalonda, who excelled in the band from the early 1970s, died last Sunday morning in Lubumbashi City.
The guitarist who passed away in his sleep, according to his family, was buried on Thursday at the Bel Air cemetery in Lubumbashi, DR Congo.
He had, in his last few weeks, been working on remix versions of two of Les Mangelepa's greatest songs, Nyako Konya and Embakasi.
Speaking to Saturday Nation on Thursday, Dar-based Congolese musician Sulutani Skassy Kasambula confirmed having been in touch with a colleague in Lumbumbashi, who was among the mourners who attended the funeral ceremony. Also present was Twikale’s widow, Mado and their children.
Earlier in the week, UK-based Congolese guitarist and producer Fiston Lusambo said he had learned with shock of Twikale's death. The sad news came only a day after they had spoken.
"I had been in contact with him in Lubumbashi to share recordings to incorporate into the remixes of the two songs, only to learn we had lost him last Sunday morning," he said.
Twikale wa Twikale with UK-based colleague Fiston Lusambo.
Photo credit: Pool
Fiston had, over the last month, been in Nairobi working alongside two other surviving members of the Les Mangelepa
Band, Kabila Kabanze "Evani" and Lutulu Kanicky "Macky". They were backed by guest artistes. The two have remained steadfast in keeping alive the legacy of Les Mangelepa. This despite either the demise of some of the former band members or some leaving to pursue solo careers abroad. Also popularly referred to as the “Last Band Standing” among its hordes of fans, Mangelepa has a rich and expansive discography dating back to the late 1970s.
A tribute show for the late Twikale is set to be held next Monday at the Vibro Club in Nairobi West. Among those expected to grace the event will be Mombasa- based rhumba fan and manager Panya Buku (PDJ Mwakamba), veteran Loboko Pasi of Super Mazembe Academia and Longwa Disco of Bana, Mazembe band.
Others are Mukala Bebe and Kawele Mutinamwa, who is based in England. The versatile singer and trombone player, Badibanga wa Tshilumba Kai Kai, the composer of the hit song, Nyako Konya, died in 2015 in Johannesburg, where he had been based after going solo. Kalenga Nzazi “Vivi”, the composer of the Ëmbakasi hit song, died in Nairobi in August 2023.
Twikale will be best remembered for having played the rhythm and arrangements on some of the most popular Les Mangelepa hit songs including Maboko Pamba, Kasuku, Walter, Nyako Konya. Mimba and Embakasi. He played alongside, among others, Lukangika Maindusa 'Petit Moustang', Mukala Coco Kanyinda, Lumwanga Mayombo , William Tambwe, Mwepu Mtushi and Kazidi.
According to Fiston Lusambo, he plans to have the two remix tracks launched when the Les Mangelepa band celebrates its 50th anniversary. The band formed in July 1976 was an offshoot of the Baba Gaston’s (Illunga wa Illunga) Baba Nationale band.
