gay community grieves lebo’s death

By Nthateng Mhlambiso (BTM Senior Reporter)

October 27, 2006: The memorial service of Lebo Mathosa held on October 26 at the Sandton Convention Centre stoked sad emotions among gay communities in the country.

The gay fraternity came in abundance and overtly declared grief, and paid homage for having lost an amiable sister in Lebo Mathosa who was openly bisexual and one of South Africa’s most nifty and finest Afro-pop divas.

Grieving friends and family listened in anguish as members from the South African music industry hailed Mathosa as a people’s person, a fighter, a dreamer and a human being with great respect for other people. “Lebo had some sort of a relationship with everyone. She referred to people either as uncle, aunt, sister, brother or tsala for her friends”, said Phindile Mkhabela of Dreamcatcher, which is a publicity company.

Overwhelmed by grief, Mathosa’s dancer and partner left the stage in the middle of the last dance that she and other dancers performed for the late singer. Theo Nhlengethwa, a close friend and an ex-lover of Mathosa as well as Boom Shaka’s band member cried sadly for his friend.

Speaking at the service, former Y-FM station manager Greg Maloka, urged South Africans to show love for the country’s music artists while they are still alive. “They are human, we must give them love while we see them. We must not love them when they are gone like it happened to Brenda Fassie, TK, Tebza of Mafikizolo and others”, Maloka yelled.

Eugene Mthethwa of Kalawa Jazmee asked South Africans to forgive the 20-year-old driver during the accident, who is only known as Nhlanhla. “Let us forgive the man. The poor man is traumatized himself and hiding out somewhere. There is no pain, like the pain of self condemnation”, he exclaimed.

Other musicians who came to pay last respect to Mathosa were Abigail Kubheka, Mandoza, 3Sum (which is an all-gay band), Hugh Masekela just to mention a few.

Ringo Maglingozi and Thandiswa Mazwai performed their music gyrations in goodbye for Mathosa, while Trompies changed the mood of the mourners when performing songs featuring the late singer. Guests started dancing and cheering in respect of “Madibuseng”, a nickname given to Mathosa by the members of Trompies.

Mathosa will be laid to rest on Saturday 28 October, with the funeral service held at Benoni City Hall starting 9:00am.