By Julia Madibogo and Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former Ambitiouz Entertainment artist Bokang Moleli, better known as Malume Vector, has died in a car accident on Wednesday afternoon.
Malume Vector was travelling in a car with five occupants amongst them, was upcoming artist Lizwe Wokuqala, who also lost his life.
The singer’s booking manager Thato Pebane told Sunday World on Wednesday evening that the team and family will release a statement on Thursday morning.
A close friend told the publication that the singer was travelling with his musical collaborators including Lizwi Wokuqala and Puleng Phoofolo.
According to the Free State SAPS spokesperson Mahlomola Kareli says two people survived the crash.
“Members rushed to the scene and discovered that the accident involved a truck and a sky blue Datsun iGo light motor vehicle. It is alleged that both vehicles were travelling north when the accident happened, and the Datsun iGo ended up under the trailer of the truck, killing three males. Two others, a male and a female, were rushed to the hospital in a critical condition.
“The light motor vehicle had five occupants—four males and one female. Only two males and a female’s identities were found at the scene. The other two are unknown at this stage”.
Mahlomola says a case of culpable homicide is being investigated.
Fullview understands the singer was travelling from Gauteng, through the Free State, to his home country of Lesotho to shoot a music video when he was involved in an accident just after 13:00.
In a statement released by Malome Vector’s family, they say the musician leaves behind his daughter, wife, mother, father and four siblings.
“He lived all his life in the entertainment industry and brought to us the music that we have come to love so much. His friends and fans will remember him by his limitless love and selflessness,” the family said.
Malome Vector was a Lesotho-born multi-platinum-selling artist. He became popular in the South African Afro-pop and hip hop scene. With popular songs like Dumelang and Nobody launching him to stardom after he was discovered by Ambitiouz Entertainment in 2020.
He controversially left the record label last year to start his own record label The Whole Time Entertainment. Later he secured a distribution deal with Ingrooves Africa (Electromode), a top global distributor.
Ambitiouz Entertainment, said “It with heavy hearts, we mourn the passing of a shining beacon; the Lion of Lesotho’s sun has set. Our deepest condolences go out to his loved ones and industry peers during this time of profound loss.”
Lizwi Wokuqala was his first artist, and they just released his latest single, eLesotho last week.
On his hit song Dumelang, a collaboration with Durban rapper Baq Diamond, Malume Vector said he meant Dumelang to the world. Dumelang is a Sotho greeting meaning ‘Hello’.
Growing up amidst the hilly landscapes of Maseru, Lesotho’s Malome Vector always had grand visions for himself.
“I grew up with mountainous views as my backdrop and enjoyed herding livestock. While dreaming of what lies beyond the horizon and imagining all the possibilities life has in store for me, “he told the media.
With his fusion of hip hop, Afropop and elements of famo (Sotho folk music), the artist had made sure to chase his dreams. He later relocated to South Africa.
Earlier in the year, Vector released his seven-track EP, 1964, which featured Ntate Stunna and Mlindo The Vocalist.
He was awarded with a South African Music Award for Best Music Video of the year in 2021 for a song collaboration with Miss Pru and South African duo Blaq Diamond.