Biography
Ihashi Elimhlophe (born December 28, 1960), formally addressed as Bheki Ngcobo, is an award-winning maskandi music legend. He has grown to be a big name in traditional Zulu music.
Bheki Ngcobo has been into music since 1986 and has gained fame and recognition. He has contributed to the South African music industry.
Ngcobo has also appeared in several television shows like Zaziwa and Ifalakhe.
Ihashi Elimhlophe  | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Full Name: | Bheki Ngcobo |
| Other Name: | Ihashi Elimhlophe |
| Born: | December 28, 1960 (age 62 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | Kwa Biyela, Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal |
| Nationality: | South African |
| Spouse: | Linah Ngcobo |
| Daughter: | Ntombi Ngcobo Mzolo |
| Occupation: | Musician, Actress |
| Instruments: | Vocal, Guitar |
| Genre: | Maskandi |
| Profiles: | |
| Net Worth: | R1 million – R10 million |
Early Life
Bheki Ngcobo was born on December 28, 1960, in Kwa Biyela in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. He started to exhibit his talent from the age of eight.
Ngcobo followed the footsteps of his uncles by doing a makeshift tin guitar with three strings.
Elimhlophe grew up in the small village of KwaBiyela but left for Johannesburg in search of a greener pasture in 1976. As a teenager, a famous brand discovered him in the seventies.
Career
Music
Ihashi Elimhlophe started as a bass guitarist for the legendary Soul Brothers. After the group noticed he had more to offer, they made him the lead singer for their junior group, Imitshotshovu.
Elimhlophe, whose album Icala was successful, decided to go solo, then adopted the stage name Ihashi Elimhlophe. His stage name means the White Horse.
The artist grew prominent as a guitar maestro on his rare fourteen-string guitar.
His debut album, Hololo, made way for other successful recordings and productions. He has twenty-eight studio albums to his name.
Ihashi has collaborated with other prominent and legendary maskandi artists. He has worked with Phuzekhemisi and Mfazi Omnyma, who called themselves Izinqunqulu Zomhlaba.
Bheki has collaborated with artists from other music genres – kwaito, hip hop, jazz, Afro-pop, House, boeremusiek, gospel, choral, and urban pop.
The legendary artist has held performances in over twenty-five countries. His electrifying performance left his audience entertained and surprised.
Television Roles
Bheki Ngcobo has also landed television roles and appeared on season four of the SABC1 music talk show Zaziwa. Pearl Modiadie hosted the show aired on February 26, 2017.
Bheki played Ndukuzakhe, credited as his debut acting role, in the Mzanzi Magic period drama series Ifalakhe in 2019.
Payment
Ihashi was reportedly crying foul over an unpaid performance fee three years ago. He accused music promoter Sipho Ndaba of ducking to pay him for two performances in Richards Bay amounting to R80,000.
Sipho organizes the Last Dance New Year every year on December 31, aired on SABC1. According to Ihashi, he performed in 2013 for the festival but received a half payment.
Later in December 2016, he performed again but was not paid this time and continued to promise him payment. He had to spend a lot to pay for the band’s transport, feeding, and accommodation.
Personal life
Ihhashi Elimhlophe and his wife Linah Ngcobo are legendary music personalities.
His wife is best known as Ebony, one of the country’s female artists who made prominence in the eighties and nineties. His daughter, Ntombi Ngcobo Mzolo, is an actress and musician.
60th Birthday
On December 28, 2020, the legendary musician turned 60. He celebrated the milestone by renewing his vows to his wife, Linah Ngcobo.
His family posted pictures of the celebration on social media platforms. He resides in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.
Social Media
Legendary Maskandi musician Bheki Ngcobo is active on social media. On Instagram, he shares pictures of his work and personal life. He also posts about his performances on stage and other career highlights.
Net Worth
Bheki Ngcobo is a veteran musician and actor. He has been in the music space for over thirty years. He is believed to have a net worth of R1 million – R10 million as of September 2022.