On 12 May 2018, legendary photographer Sam Nzima passed away at the age of 83 in hospital in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. Nzima was born in Lillydale a small village in Bushbuck Ridge, Limpopo. He grew up in a farm where his father worked and his family lived.  Nzima’s  teacher had a camera and he was interested to see pictures coming out from a box, and then he bought himself a small Kodak Box Brownie.

On 24 October 2018, Jabulani Tsambo, who was also known as HHP, passed away at the age of 38. Details of his death were not clear, but reports suggested that it was a possible suicide as he was suffering from depression. Tsambo was one of the iconic Motswako rappers. He was well known as Jabba who released hits including Tswaka, Jabba, Harambe, Mpitse, Music and Lights, Bosso ke Mang and others. Although he did not start the style, Jabulani was considered as a Motswako icon.

On 30 June 1968, Rebecca Malope was born in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga (then Eastern Transvaal).  She became well known after winning the Shell Road to Fame talent search in 1987, with a soulful rendition of the spiritual Sizwe Zako composition, Shine On. When Malope noticed she was not doing well in pop music, she switched to gospel music.

On 23 February 2019, Dorothy Masuka died at her home, surrounded by her children and grandchildren, after suffering from hypertension.