Gifted writer and actor

By Pallo Jordan
I learnt with deep sorrow of the sudden and untimely death of film, television and stage actor John Matshikiza in Johannesburg on Monday night.
John, or Johnny as he was known to his friends, was born into the extremely gifted Matshikiza family 55 years ago. He was the son of Todd and Esme Matshikiza, both of whom were deeply involved in the arts.
As a young boy he emigrated to Britain with his parents in 1961 when the musical King Kong hit the stage in London’s West End.

ROBALA KA KHUTSO MALOME

In your 25 years with us you touched more lives than some of us will in a life-time,we thought this was supposed to to get easier with each passing day but its getting harder.
Although we saw you struggling after suffering from a long illness it is still sad that you passed away because we enjoyed a close relationship.
Despite the the constant pain you felt, you put a good fight with a lot of humuor till your final day. May you always walk in the sunshine and God's love around you flow. For the happiness you gave us...no one ever know, it broke our heart to lose you, but you did not go alone, a part of us went with. The day when God called you home, a million times we've cried...a million times we've needed you. If love could only have saved you, you never would have died. We feel sad when we start to remember how your face beamed everytime we spoke of everything under the sun, all those who rubbed shoulders with you at Genrec will not believe you departed after suffering the pain. We have to believe that you are in a better place now smiling down to us flanked by angels. Even God doesn't need lazy souls to occupy his heaven that's why my uncle departed ahead of his time. sepela botse malome....o be o le mohwelere woo ebeng re ithekgile ka wona,
May God open the gates for you.
Your Grandson.
Harold Rachochi.

This is a second anniversary since my brother “Mish “passed away. He was such a loving, caring and understanding person I have ever known. I really wish he was here to see what his love gave us. He made sure that we go to school to have a better life and today we are living the way he wanted. I believe that he is an angel in heaven and he is always watching over us. I miss him so much and thank him for everything he did for us. Precious Mnisi

The greatest grandfather

I write this in memory of my grandfather, whom I still love and miss very much.

You always saw the good in everybody, you had so many hopes and dreams for us....I wish you could be here to see some of those dreams coming true.
I know you would be so proud of us, I love you Papamogolo and I miss you so much.

Thank you for being a father, a mentor and a role model for me.

Kwaito’s Zombo is dead

Once popular Kwaito star Tebogo Ndlovu, also known as Zombo, has died after a long illness.
The former Abashante band member died yesterday of HIV/AIDS related illness. At the time of his death Zombo was living at St Francis Care Center in Benoni on the East Rand....

• See our pictorial tribute to Tebogo ’Zombo’ Ndlovu

Ma-willies of kwaito no more

Makhubela dies at his home
Kwaito icon William Bongani Makhubela, also known as Ma-Willies, has died.
Makhubela, 38, drew his last breath at his Soweto home last night....

• View our slideshow show and listen to a sound clip of one of his hit songs

So long, Jabu...

Friends, family and the music fraternity yesterday remembered late Afro-pop star Jabu Ndaba with a highly entertaining memorial service at Bassline, Newtown.
Born in Heilbron, Free State, Ndaba was a member of music group Malaika. He died of TB on Monday at the Tshepong Hospital in Klerksdorp....

• WEB TV: Jabulani Ndaba’s Memorial
• PHOTO GALLERY: Friends and family pay tribute
• AUDIO SLIDESHOW: View pictures of Jabu in happier times

Abram Raselemane - a great football star

Wits players Abram Raselemane, who was also a former Bafana Bafana striker, has passed away, his club announced today.
In a statement on its website, Wits said its officials were deeply shocked this morning to be informed by the family of Abram Raselemane that he passed away in tragic circumstances in Bloemfontein last night....

• PHOTO TRIBUTE: Click here to see Abram Raselemane’s happier moments, when he was on the pitch.

Unforgettable - Tribute to Ashlie Callie

Radiant, elegant and charming are some of the words used to describe Ashley Callie at a memorial service held in Johannesburg on Thursday.
Callie died on February 9 after being involved in a car accident a week prior....

• WEB TV: A moving tribute to ’unforgettable’ Callie.

• PICTURES: Watch the slideshow of the memorial service

• TRIBUTES: Tributes flow for SABC soapie star

Good-bye Lucky Dube

Revered South African and international reggae artist Lucky Dube is dead. Dube was killed during a hijacking attempt in Rosettenville, Johannesburg, on Thursday night.
He was driving his Chrysler in the area to drop off his child at the time of the hijacking.
Shortly before his boy climbed out the car, he realised his father was about to be hijacked. Dube’s son then ran into the house to ask for help.....

• AUDIO: Gallo CE Ivor Haarburger talks about his friend Lucky
• PICTURES: Revered reggae artist: Lucky Dube
• IN SONG: Listen to Lucky Dube’s Taxman here.
• ON STAGE: Watch a video of Lucky in concert
  

Eudy’s dream denied

Family mourn death of loving daughter and friend to many
Hanging on the wall of the living room of house number 1008 in Tornado Section, KwaThema, is a large calendar with May 5 heavily circled in a green felt-tip pen.
For many South Africans Monday May 5 was the first day back at work after a four-day long weekend. For Eudy Simelane it was particularly significant. This was the day she was to start work at her dream job as a merchandiser for a pharmaceutical company in Pretoria....

• WEB TV: Eudy’s mom, Mally, still feels her daughter’s presence in and around the house. She talks about counselling


• WEB TV: Eudy’s father speaks of his suspicion of the possible reason for his daughter’s murder


• WEB TV: "We know there are high levels of homophobia and the police are not immune to that," said Carrie Shelver from People Opposing Woman Abuse (POWA)

A nation mourns for Gift Leremi

The death of Gift “Continental” Leremi robbed Bafana Bafana of a potential star and a very popular player. Leremi, 22, died in a car accident on his way home after playing in Cameroon where Mamelodi Sundowns lost 1-0 to Astres de Douala in a Confederation’s Cup game. For more about his death, click here

• VIEW PHOTOS FROM THE ACCIDENT
• VIEW PHOTOS OF GIFT LEREMI (on and off the pitch)