Regalo a peaceful person who loved family

LIMPOPO – GOSPEL singer, Mpho Regalo (Gangashe) (29), will never know that he would have been the recipient of a Films, Arts, Music and Entertainment (Fame) award.

Regalo tragically died in a car crash along the N1 North between Polokwane and Louis Trichardt just a day before he would have been bestowed the Best Male Artist Award at the Fame Awards ceremony that took place at the University of Limpopo on Saturday.

Also killed in the collision was his mother, Violet Gangashe. His wife, Londolani Tsanwanai (27), was injured and taken to hospital.

Regalo was named Best Male Artist and competed against powerful musicians like Chymamosique, Da Copa, Colbert Mukwevho and Benny Mayengani. He was also nominated in the Best Gospel Artist category, which went to South Africa’s top gospel diva, Winnie Mashaba.

The organisers of the Fame Awards, Limpopo Media, said it was difficult for the artists to cope with the trauma of Regalo’s untimely death. Limpopo Media CEO, Matodzi Makananise, said they had observed a moment of silence before the awards ceremony started.

Regalo outclassed his competitors in the Best Male Artist category by 1 000 votes. This was his first nomination as well as his first award in his music career. “Just before he travelled to Limpopo, he was very happy and he told me he planned to dress to kill for the awards ceremony as it was his first nomination in his career. Little did I know his words would serve as his farewell,” Makananise said.

The SABC’s Divhambele Mbalavhali received Regalo’s award on his behalf.

The family’s spokesperson, Mushayathoni Mutobvu, who is Regalo’s uncle, said Regalo was a peace loving person who loved his family, community and the country at large.

“Regalo was loved by the whole family. He also loved his community and country. He was totally against the abuse of alcohol and drugs. He used his music to educate the community about the importance of living clean life.

“As he was already a household name in the country through his music, his dream was to reach the whole world through music,” Mutobvu said.

Regalo was born on April 26, 1986. He started his school career at Makonde Primary School and completed his secondary education at Raluvhimba Secondary School, also in Makonde.

He studied IT at Mangosotho Technikon. After completing his diploma, he worked for several companies until two years ago when he joined i-Lab, an independent software testing company, as a senior technical testing analyst.

He is survived by his wife, daughter Rialivhuwa Gangashe (2), sister Rinae Lewis and brothers Lucky and Lutendo Lewis.

Regalo started singing at school. He released his first album, Testimony in 2012. His second album, I am a winner was recorded in December 2013, and a DVD was also made.

Chief Thinawanga Randima of Khubvi, where Regalo comes from, said he was very sad over Regalo’s death.

Takie Ndou, also a gospel artist from Limpopo, was a close friend of Regalo. “I am still confused and hurt. He was my friend and colleague. I don’t know what to say,” Ndou, who last spoke to Regalo on Friday night before the accident, said.

Premier Stanley Mathabatha sent his heartfelt condolences to Regalo’s family and friends. “Indeed his death is very sad… I was looking forward to seeing him at the Fame awards,” Mathabatha said.