Artist Peter Mokoena performs at the memorial service for South African kwaito artist Senyaka Kekana, 31 March 2015, at Bassline in Newtown, Johannesburg. Picture: Alaister Russell
The service began at 1pm where a number of celebrities and members of the public attended to pay their last respects. The service began with an imbongikazi (poetess) Glodine Makapela. The performances included Deborah Freis, Winnie Khumalo and special tributes from the artists of the 80s. The audience was also graced with new songs from his new album titled I’m back. One of the songs is Get down; which he was supposed to shoot a video for next week.
Speaking on behalf of Bubele Music (his recording company), Mr Benny Sebiloane said: “We will make sure his legacy lives on, and that he is never forgotten. We are planning to have a Senyaka Foundation. We are going to make sure that Senyaka’s children do not go hungry.”
Senyaka was also working on a movie called Khuthi Khatha which is set to air on SABC1 sometime soon.
“I was on set with him, he was one of the actors. He was a crazy guy always joking around. I loved working with him, and we will miss him all,” said Tumi Masoeu, who will be starring in this upcoming movie.
Musician and producer Eugene Mthethwa also attended the ceremony and took to the stage to deliver his speech; acknowledging musician and producer Chicco Thwala who was sitting in the audience.
Mthethwa expressed his concern over the lack of support from the industry, immediately inquiring how many recording companies were present to pay respect to the fallen kwaito star.
“For Mr Chabane’s funeral everyone came out especially in the music industry, but I guess some animals are more important than the other ones in this animal farm,” he said.
Addressing the reports that Senyaka died poor and that friends and even members of the public had to donate money towards his funeral, Mthethwa said: “It is unfortunate that this went the way it went but we just have launched a free burial fund and Senyaka happens to be the last one reported to have died this way; and a funeral that is donated by people. The true friends who come when there is much need.”
The funeral will take place on Thursday at Alberton Sisulu Hall at 07:30.