Johannesburg – Legendary South African musician Ringo Madlingozi has been forced to publicly confirm that he is alive and well after false reports of his death circulated widely on social media. The 60-year-old, known for his soulful voice and captivating stage presence, expressed his outrage and disbelief at the malicious rumours.
The disturbing claims emerged on Friday, 14 March, prompting an angry response from Ringo himself, who took to Facebook to vehemently refute the death rumours. The "Sondela" hitmaker condemned those responsible, stating that they should face severe consequences for their actions.
Speaking to Daily Sun, Ringo expressed his shock and dismay at the "evil" individuals spreading such falsehoods. "This is evil. They're spreading lies about someone's death for followers and money. I'm healthy, not suffering from any diseases. No one has the right to spread death rumours," he said, his voice filled with frustration.
This is not the first time that the internet has falsely declared Ringo Madlingozi dead. Back in October 2015, the music icon woke up to find social media ablaze with reports that he had suffered a heart attack and passed away. The incident caused considerable distress to Ringo and his family, highlighting the reckless nature of online rumours.
At the time, Ringo confirmed to Citizen that he was indeed alive and well, dismissing the reports as irresponsible and deeply concerning. "People can be so stupid,” he told the paper. "I may be a public figure, but I’m also human. I have a family that loves me. What if they had seen those rumours?"
Ringo, who recently hosted the successful "Ringo Valentine's Experience" at Carnival City in Ekurhuleni, is clearly pained by the actions of faceless individuals who are using his name for their own nefarious purposes.
"What they're doing is evil. There's no God in their lives. It adds more years and blessings to mine," he declared, finding solace in his faith and the outpouring of support from his fans.
The incident highlights the growing problem of fake news and the ease with which false information can spread online, causing distress and anxiety to individuals and their families. Celebrities, in particular, are often targeted by such rumours, which can have a significant impact on their personal and professional lives.
Ringo, who was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award by the South African Music Awards (Samas) in 2024, remains a beloved figure in South African music. Known for his timeless hits such as "Baleka", "Buyisa", and "Into Yam", he recently released a new love single, "Ufikile Ekuseni", following his departure from the EFF and active involvement in politics.
Despite the distress caused by the recent death rumours, Ringo remains resilient and focused on his music. He is determined not to let the negativity of others detract from his passion and commitment to entertaining his fans.
In his interview with Citizen back in 2015, Ringo also shared some insights into his healthy lifestyle, which he believes has contributed to his longevity and well-being. “I don’t go to the gym every day, but I take very good care of myself. I keep fit by running and dancing. I drink a lot of water and eat healthily most of the time,” he said.
