Maskandi musician Mkhathazi Nsibande is mourning the loss of 11 dancers who died in a horrific crash in Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal, in the early hours of Sunday, 27 September 2026.
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According to Daily Sun, the dancers had performed alongside Mkhathazi at the Isibaya Ingoma Festival at Emkhandlwini Sports Ground in Obuka, Empangeni, before travelling back home to KwaHlabisa.
According to reports, the minibus taxi carrying the dancers was involved in a head-on collision with a sugarcane truck and subsequently caught fire. Nine of the victims were reportedly burnt beyond recognition, while two could be identified. DNA testing is expected to assist with the identification process.
‘I lost my soldiers’
Mkhathazi has described the tragedy as devastating, saying he is struggling to come to terms with losing the dancers who had been an important part of his performances.
The musician said he had performed with the dancers earlier that morning but did not realise it would be their final performance together.
He also revealed that the dancers were from his home area and had their own dance group, competing in traditional dance competitions before joining him on stage during his performances.
“I can confirm I lost 11 dancers in the crash,” Mkhathazi said, according to the publication.
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Dancers’ leader among those who died
Adding to the heartbreak, Mkhathazi said the leader of the dancers’ group was also among those who died.
The musician was not travelling with them at the time of the crash. He had used separate transport because the dancers had arrived early for the event to take part in the traditional dance competition before his performance.
Mkhathazi now faces the painful task of visiting the families of the dancers and mourning alongside them.
He said the tragedy has also left him concerned about the future, particularly whether parents will still feel comfortable allowing their children to travel with musicians for performances.
A devastating loss for the maskandi star
The 11 dancers were not simply performers accompanying Mkhathazi — they had worked with him for years and had become an integral part of his shows.
Their deaths have therefore left the musician mourning both the loss of people close to him and a group that had helped shape his performances.
The crash has also devastated the wider KwaZulu-Natal community as families await the formal identification of the victims.
The circumstances surrounding the collision are being investigated.
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