Friends, families and dignitaries of the province spoke highly of the influential man.

Akhona Phiri, his son, said the last few days had not been easy but that they were celebrating his father’s life on that day.

Read: Condolences are pouring in for Ray Phiri on social media

“We thank the members of Stimela for keeping our father safe throughout their music tours.” Thokozane Zulu, his sister, says Ray left big shoes to fill. “We are so blessed and honoured to have had a brother like him.” Fakazi Gama a friend said he has a learned a lot of things from Ray Phiri as a father and as a friend. Mpumalanga MEC for Culture, Sport and Recreation, Norah Mahlangu described the death of Ray Phiri as a loss to the province, the country and the continent as a whole.

“He helped us instil our sense of identity as Africans as he instiled us a sense of belief, the songs that Stimela produced, encouraged our people to persist in their quest for resolution.”