Robbie Malinga’s redesigned tombstone unveiled
The new statue is a bust, rather than the full figure of the old version.
IMMORTALISED. Robbie Malinga’s son, Robbie jnr, walks back to his seat after unveiling his father’s tombstone and reading the inscription at the Westpark Cemetery in Johannesburg, yesterday. Pictures: Refilwe Modise
Robbie Malinaga’s grave has a new tombstone. Is it better than the original one?
Bataung Memorials redid the first tombstone after Robbie’s fans complained that the seven-tonne tombstone statue looked nothing like him.
Robbie was laid to rest at Westpark Cemetery in Johannesburg earlier this month. The 49-year-old died on Christmas Day. He was diagnosed with anaemia several months before his death.
Pictures of his life-sized tombstone went viral on the day of his funeral, with many criticising the design.
#RobbieMalingaFuneral noooo the tombstone hai anyeke this guy looks like my dad serious and yena usaphila ! pic.twitter.com/UTk3mwUCZ6
— Keitumetse (@maritasaita) January 2, 2018
The company promised to rework the statue. The new tombstone was unveiled at the cemetery on Tuesday.
Robbie’s friends and family were present for the ceremony. His brother, Bheki Malinga, broke down in tears when he saw the new tombstone.
“I’m too emotional to talk, but what I can say is that we are happy with the work. There is so much resemblance now especially the head,” Tshisa Live quoted him as saying.
The new statue is a bust, rather than the full figure of the old version. Robbie is wearing a different suit, and instead of being surrounded by awards, he has a piano instead.
Tweets with pictures of the new tombstone:
#RobbieMalinga #massivmetro New statue unveiled pic.twitter.com/jkkvBBE9hb
— Naledi Brown 🇿🇦 (@NalediBrownSA) January 23, 2018
What do you think of Robbie’s new tombstone? Yea or nay?
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