On Wednesday, the industry similarly said goodbye to Winnie Khumalo and Doc Shebeleza, as they died two days apart.
The industry similarly bid farewell to Winnie Khumalo and Doc Shebeleza at a memorial service in Joburg on Wednesday, after they died two days apart.
As Khumalo predeceased her, her memorial service at The Market began hours before Doc Shebeleza's memorial service at SABC Radio Park, Auckland Park.
Winnie Khumalo remembered
People tend to learn new things about the deceased through anecdotes shared by those who knew them at memorial services, and Khumalo's memorial service was no exception.
“I swear Winnie has gone to heaven,” co-host Somizi Mhlongo said. “Winnie never touched a drop of alcohol. She didn't need alcohol to be cheerful. She was naturally cheerful.”
Mhlongo was one of the hosts for the day and he surprised most people in the theater by revealing the above.
It was also a great surprise to many that Mr. Khumalo was friends with Geoff Radebe, South Africa's former Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, who was one of the speakers on the day.
“The last time I saw Comrade Winnie was exactly one month ago today, December 15, 2024, she went to her friend Mmabaso in Centurion with her daughter Lesabile for a health and spa afternoon. They were coming,” Radebe said.
View | #WinnieKumalo children pay homage to their mother.#The Citizen News pic.twitter.com/gxaBuYxPYb
— The Citizen News (@TheCitizen_News) January 15, 2025
Mr Radebe became close to Mr Khumalo around 2008, when the ANC was in crisis after former ANC leaders formed the Congress of the People (COPE) and the party needed a song to encourage young people to vote for the ANC. He said it happened.
“As a new music lover and enthusiast myself, I have followed her successful career in music from afar.
“I have always been very impressed by her deep understanding of the moods of our country's youth,” Radebe asserted.
Veteran music producer Sello Chikko Twala also said he recently visited Khumalo's home.
“I was sitting with her in her lounge and I paid her a surprise visit,” Twala said.
“Winnie and I were just laughing and I was so happy. No signs of illness or anything. She was laughing. In fact, she came to my car to pick me up.”
Twala said their relationship was like that of brothers. He told how they once had a fight in the studio and Khumalo angrily left, but later that day he asked Khumalo for help.
“That's what I called a real sister-brother relationship, we even forgot we ever fought. That's how close we were.”
Mr Khumalo is scheduled to be buried this Saturday, but the time and place are yet to be confirmed.
ALSO READ: Winnie Khumalo's daughter shares awkward interview with mother as she grieves family [VIDEO]
Doc Shebeleza: Servant of the People
Similar to Khumalo's memorial service, Victor “Doc Shebeleza” Bogopane's ceremony was well attended by industry figures who loved the kwaito artist, whose philanthropy was talked about throughout the ceremony.
“I'm devastated, but what hurts the most is that Doc has never been celebrated. He accomplished more than anyone in this country,” said veteran entertainer Abigail Khubeka. .
“How will our children know what we've done in this country? People think we're arrogant. There's still hope that things can happen, that we can love each other.” Can we? We gained our freedom, but we lost our country.”
Speakers on the day referred to Doc Shebeleza's philanthropic efforts through his organization African Musicians Against HIV/AIDS (AMAHA).
View | #dokushebeleza children pay their respects to him at the memorial service. 🕊️#The Citizen News pic.twitter.com/8MzfMD1a3a
— The Citizen News (@TheCitizen_News) January 15, 2025
Kaiser Kganyago, former SABC spokesperson and currently chief stakeholder relations and communications officer at the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), said Doc Shebeleza was a true celebrity in that he was praised for his good deeds in society. He said that.
“When I was working at the SABC, Doc said he wanted the national broadcaster to partner with AMAHHA to improve the lives of people across the country,” Mr Kganyago said.
“We went from village to village and gave people houses, gave them wheelchairs, gave them food. He would do everything in his power to get all of that. We participated in these events. Every time we did it, he was in charge of everything. He's the sound guy, he's the performer, he's the one who makes sure the food is there.
“He would do anything because he understood one thing: that he was a servant of the people. The message he always wanted to send to the world was to be known and to be famous. There's a difference in being famous. The moment you say you want to be famous and worshiped, you have to know that you're not.”
Dr. Shebeleza will be buried Saturday at the Old Apostolic Church, with interment to follow in Hero's Acre at West Park Cemetery.
Read now: Gayton McKenzie talks about Doc Sheveleza: 'His music, laughter and legacy will continue to touch our hearts'
