Local singer Nichume Siwundla has died after an apparent suicide.
A statement from her record label confirmed the artist’s death. Nichume was signed to Top Chap Media which was founded by Mobi Dixon.
The singer is well known for featuring on Mobi Dixon’s track Bhutiza. The pair recently released their single Thobela.
"I'm distraught. I will remember Nichume as a bright light at Top Chap Media where we signed her. She was not only my first artist, but we had grown so close in the past three years that she became my little sister. She truly is gone too soon. may her soul rest in peace," Mobi said about the singer's untimely death.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Nichume's brother, Qamani Siwundla said, “We, as a family are in absolute shock as to what has happened. Learning that your sister has succumbed to emotions and taken her own life can never rest well. We obviously are left with a lot of questions but also know that she had one of the strongest characters in the family. Whatever she was feeling at that moment triggered immense hopelessness. We stand united as a family during this difficult time. Nichume was so loved and appreciated. We are proud of all her achievements."
Black Coffee also shared a message to fellow artists, “Dear Artists. As fake as the industry can be, let’s be real and check on each other,” he said on the RIP Nichume hashtag.
Minister of Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, took to Twitter to convey his sympathies.
"We're deeply saddened by the tragic passing of a shining star, the celebrated musician Nichume Refeloe Siwundla - a talented daughter of the soil whose lovely voice reverberated in our hearts & gifted us lasting memories. We send our deepest sympathies to her loved ones," he wrote.
May her soul rest in peace.
