Mkhuseli Nomkala, better known as Khustar thought his dreams came true when he met China Monwabisi Theophilus Mpololo of C Sun’s Holdings and almost eight years down the line, the afro-pop muso claims to have been crooked by China Mpololo and to date, he doesn’t know a dime from his album sales, including royalties from the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO).
“I’ve gone through depression and I almost committed suicide because of China Mpololo. He must go sh!t. I’ll let God deal with him because I don’t want his blood on my hands,” – Mkhuseli Khustar Nomkala, 25 September 2019.
Khustar from Cape Town told MGOSI.co.za that he met China Mpololo at Marco’s African Place, Schotsche Kloof in Cape, 2011 during a live performance.
He introduced me to Mojalefa Thebe and Robbie Malinga
“I was performing at Marco’s African Place when I was approached by China Mpololo. He then told me that he wants to start a band and he has already secured the other three members from Khayelitsha. After the other members failed to honour, he told me that I don’t need a band I can do this alone with my talent. He told me that he’s going to take my career to the highest level.
“As a result when he came with Mojalefa Thebe and Robbie Malinga to meet in Cape Town I thought ‘wow’ because these were the best producers. After that he made me sign a contract in his car and refused to allow me to take it home for a review. I really wanted this so his refusal didn’t matter that much to me,” says Khustar.
Khustar tells MGOSI.co.za eventually he packed his bags to the City of Gold (Joburg) to record an album with the late Robbie Malinga and Mojalefa Thebe.
His voice is high-pitched when he tells MGOSI.co.za that the album tilted Bubomi was indeed recorded and was sold in all leading record stores but he never received a cent from its sales.
I’ve never received a cent from my album
“People from around where I stay showed their support ad bought the album. I’ve signed copies for some of them, I’ve seen the album in stores but I’ve never received any money from it. I went to SAMRO to check my registration status and I discovered that I was never registered under my work. I registered my songs under myself and if there’s a dispute against the payment of royalties, then I am willing to face China Mpololo in court. I’ve suffered depression because of China. He must sh!t,” shouted the musician that was allegedly duped by China Mpololo.
“All I want from China Mpololo is my money. I am not the only one he has crooked. There are many of us and he can’t run forever,” says Khustar Nomkala.
Khustar Nomkala tells MGOSI.co.za that he’s not going to give up on his career because of people like China Mpololo.
China Mpololo disappeared in 2013
“I’ve never heard from him since 2013 and I’ve stopped calling him. I’ve cried more than enough and to my family, this is a wound that will never heal. He promised me a world that he couldn’t deliver. I do get gigs by myself and I am not going to stay at home and cry,” he says.
Khustar Nomkala tells us that when Robbie Malinga was still alive, he contacted him and he was sent back to China Mpololo.
“I don’t blame Robbie and Mjaks Thebe because they were not involved in the contract I signed with C Sun’s Holdings. They were just producers and I am sure they got whatever they agreed on with China,” explains Khustar Nomkala.
MGOSI.co.za as always took things a bit further and established that the album Bubomi with songs such as Baby Wam, Mandisa, Lusekhona, Bubomi Sana is available on Spotify, Deezer, Takealot.com and other digital platforms. Khustar is listed as the artist, Robbie Malinga as the producer and Mojalefa Thebe as the composer.
China Mpolo is Nathi Mankayi’s former manager and business associate. The two had a fallout when China accused Nathi of business robbery. In those events, it turned out that Nathi took China’s office equipment after he failed to pay him what was due to him.
China Mpololo is also due at the Randburg Small Claims court on October 18. Read the full story [here].
On Thursday when MGOSI.co.za tried to call China Mpololo his phone went straight to voicemail. He was not available for comment by the time of going to press.
MGOSI.co.za