Jabu Ndaba of Afro-pop group Malaika has passed away, according to their record company.

No further details were immediately available from Sony BMG's urban label manager, who had been informed of the news by the band's manager on Monday afternoon.

Alongside Matshediso Mholo and Bongani Nchang, Ndaba was one third of the group formed by the childhood friends from the North West province.

They hit the big time in 2003 with their self-titled debut album that has sold over 360 000 copies to date.

Since then the trio have released two more albums, 'Vuthelani' and last year's 'Sekunjalo' and seen singles like 'Destiny', 'Mhla'uphel'amandla', and '2 Bob' become cross-over hits in South Africa, while scooping awards from Metro FM, SAMA, Kora Awards and Channel O.

But the group were also in the process of building their international fan base, with a London show in October 2007 and a short tour of Australia in March this year.