MULTI-award-winning a cappella group Abanqobi's co-founder, Siyabonga Ndlovu, was laid to rest in a heartfelt funeral service.
His funeral service, characterised by live performances from gospel musicians, was held at Umlazi W Hall in Umlazi, south of Durban in KZN, on Tuesday, 5 August.
Top gospel musicians, including Ga Ndlela, Jumbo, Babo Ngcobo, Sphumelele Mbambo, Sgwili Zuma, Ntokozo Ngongoma, Melusi Mbokazi, and Lungelo Hlongwane, attended the funeral to bid farewell to Siyabonga.
KZN former MEC for Arts and Culture, Weziwe Thusi, also attended the funeral, while the controversial painter Rasta painted Siyabonga's portrait.
Siyabonga (43), who co-founded Abanqobi in 1999, passed away on Tuesday, 29 July, after a short illness.
It was a sad moment when Abanqobi performed next to their co-founder's coffin, bidding him their last goodbye.
The funeral service was also attended by comedian and top actor Mjosty Mbhele, who is also the KZN Gospel Forum chairman, as well as Uvukile Gospel Festival organiser and KZN CCIFSA chairman Tzozo Zulu.
Speaking on behalf of KZN artists, Mjosty used the platform to criticise the KZN government for not doing enough to support the artists.
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He mentioned that KZN gospel artists are struggling with poverty and are unable to access bookings to government programmes and events.
Mjosty called for immediate change to address these challenges.
He commended former MEC Thusi for her dedication to supporting musicians during her tenure as the MEC for Arts and Culture.
"What she did, no one else has done. She kept us busy during his time, she started many programmess, and we were getting paid every month.
"We are now having one gospel festival called Uvukile, and we don't have funding. I wish that with the passing away of Siyabonga, we can see changes," he said.
Siyabonga's brother, Sanele Ndlovu, said he still can't believe that his brother has passed away.
"I normally motivate people to be strong when they are facing these situations, but it is difficult to be strong as I'm facing it now.
"He sent me his picture when he was admitted to the hospital and told me that his situation was bad and asked me when I was going to see him. I told him that it was far away in Limpopo, about 13 hours away. I wanted to come and see him, but I didn't, but he understood the situation," he said.
