DEATH OF REZA DE WET

Renowned South African playwright Reza de Wet died in Grahamstown on January 26. The following is the notice posted to the national arts website, Artslink.co.za:

“The de Wet-Reardon family wishes to thank all those who have held Reza in their thoughts and extended their condolences on these pages.

Reza de Wet passed away peacefully in her sleep at 08:00am yesterday, at her home in Grahamstown. De Wet was diagnosed with a particularly aggressive form of blood cancer or leukaemia in November last year. She received medical treatment locally and was cared for by immediate and extended family. Two days ago de Wet contracted a secondary infection of the lungs; which was the ultimate cause of her death.

With an open and philosophical approach she took leave of those close to her over the last two months. Thus a woman who was remarkable in life, drifted gently off surrounded by loved ones.

Her plays have been produced and performed around the world and prizes and awards for scripts added to her reputation as the most awarded South African playwright.

Theatre figure Professor Temple Hauptfleish wrote of Reza de Wet: ‘Reza de Wet is an internationally renowned playwright and a remarkable phenomenon in the South African theatrical landscape. Since her debut in 1981, de Wet has written plays of outstanding merit: compelling and imaginative works which are highly regarded by academics for their literary qualities and loved by audiences and performers for their sparkling vitality in performance’.

Reza de Wet is survived by Lindsay Reardon, her daughter Nina and two grandchildren. Details of memorial services will be posted in due course.”

KickstArt, KZN’s major theatre producer, presented Reza de Wet’s black comedy, Run to Ground, directed by Greg King at the now sadly defunct Kwasuka Theatre in 2003. The cast included Belinda Harward, Steven Stead, Franz Dobrowski and veteran actress Patti Nokwe. In June 2010, KickstArt presented Miracle, Steven Stead’s translation of de Wet’s Mirakel which ran for a successful season in the Square Space Theatre at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

On hearing of her death, Steven Stead commented that de Wet was “a unique and irreplaceable force in South Africa's literary and dramatic world. …Just like one of her characters, she slipped quietly out of this world on a bright, hot summer's day, leaving us disbelieving and dismayed. I hope her spirit is dancing among the thorn trees and aloes on the veld around Grahamstown. All love and respect to a great lady of letters and dreams.”

TRIBUTE TO GLYN TOWNLEY

(Glyn Townley, pic by Arthur Dixon)

Internationally renowned concert pianist Glyn Townley (Ivor Glyn Williams) passed away in Durban last week. Born on December 18, 1911, he celebrated his 100th birthday last December, making him one hundred years and one month old on the day he died.

The following is the tribute paid to him by his nephew, Alun Williams, at his 100th birthday party:

“Glyn Townley one of South Africa’s most distinguished musicians, was born in Durban in 1911 and was educated at the Durban High School. While still in his teens, he won the principal awards for piano playing in South Africa, afterwards proceeding to London where he continued his studies with the leading teachers of the day, among them Victor Booth, Herbert Fryer and the great Solomon

After gaining the LRAM and ARCM diplomas with distinction, he made his first London appearances to critical acclaim at the prestigious Grotrian and Wigmore Halls and soon began to build up an enviable reputation. This took him all over the world, playing on various radio networks and in many of the world’s leading concert venues such as The Royal Festival Hall in London and the Amsterdam Concertgebou in both recitals and concertos. The latter he has performed with many orchestras under the baton of such world-renowned conductors as Sir Henry Wood, Janos Furst, Piero Gamba and Hugo Rignold.

His wide and varied repertoire consists of 700 works including 35 concertos. In 1983, Glyn was the recipient of the Durban Critics Circle Award in recognition of a distinguished concert career of half a century and of his services to music. He has also made countless radio and concert tours of South Africa, his home country, and although now officially retired for some years, continued to play a great deal in a voluntary capacity and has given well over 600 recitals in retirement homes and villages in Durban.

Although he lives in Durban, Glyn has spent much of his life abroad, largely in England and Australia which are two of his other favourite homes. Whilst living in London, Glyn took up ice skating and won many medals, also for swimming and he is an accomplished ballroom dancer. He says that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Glyn’s great passion is ships and he travelled mostly on cargo vessels in all shapes and sizes that took him to many exotic destinations around the seven seas.

Congratulations, Glyn, on achieving your 100th birthday. You have truly had a remarkable, distinguished, memorable and fulfilled century of which you must be deservedly proud.”

In accordance with Glyn Townley’s wishes, there will be no funeral. A private gathering was held in his memory by relatives and close friends.

EVERYTHING YOU WANT

Everything you want on a CD if you love the blues. (Review by Caroline Smart)

Last night, a packed audience at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre enjoyed an evening of top-class up-tempo and moody blues from the Tim Wells Blues Band as they launched their long-awaited CD, Everything You Want.

MC Iain Ewok Robinson got the audience into an upbeat mood and included a very amusing poem about a Smart Phone (I sympathise with his frustration with this piece of technology!). Guest artists Colin Peddie and Kerry Wood of Rise fame appeared in the first set with a selection of numbers from the soulful to the triumphant. I have great admiration for these two musicians and am always impressed by Kerry Wood’s sincere performance style.

Then it was on to the business of the evening. The Tim Wells Blues Band comprises Tim on vocals, Nux Schwartz on guitar, Peter Enslin on keys, Jason Andrew on bass and Steve du Plessis on drums with Colin Peddie as guest member. The band has an impressive history and deservedly so. It is a tight combo that works well together. The evening’s special guests were Tim’s old friends and colleagues, both well-known personalities on the music scene: Joseph Clark on harmonica and Brendan Jury on violin.

With staging/direction by Dean Bennewith, there were stunning lighting effects by Michael Broderick.

Nux Schwartz is the producer of Everything You Want which contains material largely written by Tim Wells. Only three of the 12 tracks are the band’s versions of “covers” or standards. A bonus track is a remix of one Tim’s songs Every Little Bit Counts featuring spoken word/rap by Iain Ewok Robinson which was performed live last night.

Emotional moments of the evening were two numbers on the CD: Silent, dedicated to Tim’s beloved brother Chris Wells who lost a valiant fight against cancer, and Van Morrison’s Into the Mystic which is dedicated to Durban’s legendary Syd Kitchen who died last year. Other numbers that impressed were Woke up this Morning, Come Back City Girl and Million One Reasons, the latter featuring the beautiful mournful tones of the viola from Brendan Jury.

Apart from being a fine musician and a multi-award winning actor, Tim Wells is also one of Durban’s busiest voice-over artists. Possessed of an inner smouldering energy and a powerful voice, he also proved that he’s still nimble on his feet with some fast-moving jive steps!

Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre director Jackie Cunniffe has a long association with Tim Wells and she produced the popular The Piano Men back in 1994 with Chris Letcher, Joseph Clark and Brendan Jury performing alongside Tim. There was a moment of musical magic at the end of the show last night when the latter three sang As Time Goes By, a number which appeared in The Piano Men. While Clark and Jury are now based elsewhere, these three artists have made a considerable contribution to fine music in Durban.

Everything You Want is obtainable through Tim Wells on Facebook or email tim@wells.co.za If you are a lover of good blues music it’s worth every cent at a cost of R100 and it is indeed - everything you want! – Caroline Smart

DESPERATE FIRST LADIES

(Pieter-Dirk Uys with Nowell Fine on the left and Evita on the right and the three awards he won in 2010)

Pieter-Dirk Uys still in top form. (Review by Caroline Smart)

Having already performed an extra show in the afternoon, put on at the last minute to cope with the demand for tickets, Pieter-Dirk Uys proved last night in Desperate First Ladies that his stamina is unfaltering and he’s still in top form.

Appearing in at least ten roles, he never leaves the stage. Chatting amiably while donning makeup where appropriate as well as wigs, hats and glasses, he pulls costumes from an array of beer crates to create the finished look. I was most envious of Nowell Fine’s deep-fringed shawl.

In reference to the show’s title, Uys first appears as a camp dress designer advising his various associates which outfits best suit each of President Zuma’s three wives.

Then as himself, he reminds audience of his gratitude to politicians, “black and white, right and wrong” for having given him a career for the last 38 years. “I don’t pay taxes, I pay royalties,” he quips as he invites audiences to join him in his journey of what makes his “bread and Botha”.

We meet two old favourites, Mrs Petersen, a woman from the Cape Flats, and Nowell Fine who has just been to a school reunion in Canada where most of her former classmates now live. These characters offer frank and often poignant perspectives from a Muslim and a Jewish viewpoint. Nowell (“Wake me when it’s OVER!”) Fine is firmly committed to South Africa: “I’d rather be murdered in my own bed than get up and make it myself,” she stoutly maintains.

Winnie Mandela comes in for much comment as “the mugger of the nation” and Uys confesses that he was sending her up at a major ANC function only to discover that she was sitting right in front of him! Then there’s a chilling reminder of the grasping nature of Grace Mugabe in a parody of “Old MacDonald Has a Farm” as “Grace Mugabe Wants that Farm”.

Then it’s time for Bambi Kellerman, Evita’s estranged sister, who became “one of Europe’s grand horizontals”. In a passionate call for safe sex, she explains the importance of practising how to use a condom and its feminine counterpart so that mistakes can’t happen. Then comes Mother Theresa complete with butterfly wings, talking on a cellphone from heaven. Amongst the fun and nonsense, her message is to live life to the fullest.

The voice of Archbishop Desmond Tutu introduces the legendary Evita Bezuidenhout, looking elegant as always, in a stylish purple coat with a high collar. She introduces us to the baby boy she has now adopted. It’s … Julius Malema!

Uys is fearless, often biting, and invariably hilarious. He turns edutainment into an adult art form. He poses the question that if the Media Protection Bill is passed, would he then not be allowed to continue with his shows on the basis that he’s disclosing state secrets? He is passionate about his country and will do whatever he can to keep its people from all walks of life in a positive frame of mind. As gales of laughter greet many of the jibes he makes at political ignorance and social stupidity, he shrugs: “You couldn’t make it up!”

Pieter-Dirk Uys won no less three awards in 2010 – a Teddy Award at the Berlin International Film Festival, a Naledi Lifetime Achievement Award for his creation Evita, and a Fleur du Cap Award for Best Cabaret starring Bambi Kellermann.

Pieter-Dirk Uys’ will bring his new show Adapt or Fly to the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre in March. Book now to avoid disappointment! – Caroline Smart

TIME OF THE WRITER COMPETITION

The Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal) will host the 15th Time of the Writer international writers’ festival from March 19 to 24. Supported by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (principal funder) and other funders and partners, the festival will bring together leading local and African authors, offering a valuable opportunity for the public to gain insight into the creative processes and perspectives which inform their writing.

Evening readings, book launches and discussions will take place at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban. Wide-reaching day activities, including school visits and writers workshops are spread across Durban and surrounding areas as part of the festival’s ongoing effort to promote and nurture a culture of reading, writing and creative expression, particularly among the youth.

Time of the Writer invites learners from Grades 8 to 12, to submit material for the short story writing competition to be held in conjunction with the festival. Learners are invited to engage creatively with a topic of their choice. Submissions are due no later than March 1. Entries must be fictional stories and not critical essays. A maximum of 5 pages (preferably typed) are to be written in English, Zulu or Afrikaans. Illegible entries will not be considered.

Winners will be awarded cash prizes and given complimentary tickets to attend the festival, where they will be awarded their prizes. Prizes include cash and book vouchers contributed by the Mazisi Kunene Foundation and Adams Campus Booksellers. Learners who would like to be involved in this competition should submit their stories, together with the name of their school, teacher’s name, and the school telephone number, to the Centre for Creative Arts. Entries may be hand delivered to the Centre, e-mailed to cca@ukzn.ac.za or faxed to 031 260 3074.

For more information on the festival or the competition, please contact the Centre for Creative Arts on 031 260 2506/1816 or email cca@ukzn.ac.za or visit our website: www.cca.ukzn.ac.za

Time of the Writer 2012 is supported by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (principal funder), Department of Arts and Culture, City of Durban, French Institute of South Africa, Pro-Helvetia Arts Council of Switzerland, Goethe Institute of South Africa and City of Durban.

DUT DOUBLE BILL

The Durban University of Technology (DUT) will treat theatregoers to a double bill of Meet Bro Six-Two and The Milk Factory today (January 27) at 14h00 at the Courtyard Theatre. Both productions were seen at the Musho! Festival earlier this month.

Written and directed by DUT drama graduate Samson Mlambo, Meet Bro Six-Two is a one man show featuring Wiseman Mncube who completed his DUT Drama Studies final year in 2011. Mncube brings the character to life with extraordinary skill. He recently received one of the most sought-after awards at the 2012 Musho Festival when he walked away with Best Actor/Performer. Further kudos was accorded in the standing ovation his performance elicited from the audience. The play also received an Audience Award at the festival. Meet Bro Six-Two draws attention to unemployment, an underlying cause of the high crime rate in the country. It tracks the life of Bro Six-Two, his experiences and adversities and how he resorts to crime to make ends meet. Bro Six-Two’s story symbolizes the everyday issues facing South African youth. It also reminds the audience of one crucial element – empathy.

The Milk Factory, produced by DUT’s Drama Department in conjunction with Emuhle All Artists is a 25-minute African play made especially for a South African audience. The title was adopted from a script by Simphiwe Vililahle submitted to the director and Emuhle All Artists owner, Bongani R. Baai. The script evolved a new plot, new characters, new action, new themes, new sets and costumes, new scripting mechanisms and new audiovisual considerations by Baai and Genbia Hyla. In adherence to the festival’s criteria the entire story is told through two actors, Siyamthanda Mdluli and Mzamo Mkhombe.

Co-director and Drama Studies Department HOD, Professor Deborah Lutge said this was an exciting ‘work in progress’. The themes of accountable leadership, the question of integrity that surrounds authority, and the notion of retaining tradition were poignant and attracted her to work within the play. The shift from human actors to masks and rod-puppets was challenging, however it gave diversity to the techniques incorporated in the story.

The story unfolds in a village setting. The intermarriage of a Chikwah king and a Gqukhwe Queen leads to a power struggle over a milk factory and consequently the ownership of cattle is questioned and the blame of the theft is shifted to the Rharhambo arch enemy whom the audience never meets.

“The implications have real political connotations,” explained Lutge. “AmaRharhambo represent the colonials, the Sangoma represents tradition and Indlovukazi represents the individual. AmaChikwah and amaGqukhwe represent the unification that led to independence as well as the schisms created by greed, while the masks represent the voiceless.”

The project forms part of a DUT Drama Studies Community outreach project in partnership with the Twist Theatre Development Project, of which Lutge is a board member. The Twist initiative is aimed at developing talent in KwaZulu-Natal communities and attempts to straddle the artistic divide between communities, academics and industry practitioners.

The double bill takes place today (January 27) at 14h00 at the Courtyard Theatre on DUT Steve Biko campus in Mansfield Road. More information from Lebo on 031 373 2194.

EK SIEN ‘N MAN

(Dann-jaques Mouton)

The Theatre - St Anne’s College will present Ek Sien ‘n Man, featuring Dann-jaques Mouton for one performance only on February 2.

Devised and adapted from life stories and experiences by Dann-jaques Mouton, various characters are thrown together by circumstance. They naively think they are in total control of their lives, yet someone proceeds to unravel right in their midst. Mouton depicts the places and brings to life each quirky character, magically transforming shape, mood and moment. Some characters are thoughtless; some humourless; some powerless; yet all the characters think they can see clearly. In the classic style of physical theatre this production reveals a strong emphasis on visual and physical performance.

Mouton will simultaneously conduct the Form 4 Dramatic Arts Residency at St Anne’s College. This involves teaching four intensive practical classes a day, over five days, in order to give the girls skills in physical and visual performance for their future use in creating and developing practical work for Drama.

Mouton graduated from UCT in 2009 with a Diploma in Theatre and Performance and was awarded the class medal for bilingual acting in his first and third year respectively. He performed at Maynardville in 2009’s As You Like It, directed by Geoffrey Hyland. He performed there again in 2010 as the Soothsayer in Marthinus Bason’s production of Antony and Cleopatra. Since then he has been working with Magnet Theatre under the direction of Mark Fleishman. He has been part of two original productions created at Magnet: Die Vreemdeling, which toured along the N7 and to KZN; and Autopsy which premiered at the Aardklop Festival in 2010.

Ek Sien ‘n Man will take place on February 2 at 19h30 at The Theatre - St Anne’s College, Hilton. Tickets R60 (R40 concessions) booked on 033 343 6100.

DHS PERFORMING ARTS COMPETITION 2012

The Durban High School Performing Arts Competition is an annual event, designed to showcase the talents of the boys at this school. They enter of their own accord in three categories: music, dance and drama. They move through a series of selection processes and the finalists perform for the public in Seabrooke’s Theatre. Adjudicators in the professional arena decide who the winners are in the various categories.

The event is of a very high standard and the variety of talent that is on display is always audience-pleasing and proves the diversity that is present at this school.

The dates for this year’s performances are February 14 and 15 (adjudication night) at 19h00 at Seabrooke’s Theatre. Booking has opened and tickets are R40pp and available by e-mailing colin.chapman@durbanhighschool.co.za Seating is unreserved.

TRIBUTE TO THAMI CELE

(Pic by Val Adamson. Thami Cele)

Internationally renowned playwright and director/producer, Mbongeni Ngema, pays tribute to one of his most talented actors, Thami Cele, who died last week.

“When I first met Thami, he was a professional boxer way back in the 70’s. He was also an actor and we became friends. This was right at the beginning of my acting career. He was in one of my first plays, Too Harsh in which he was the main actor He was brilliant. He was a big guy, very well built and he had a huge presence on the stage.

“After that, I went to Johannesburg to join Gibson Kente and we parted company,” Ngema remembers. “While I was doing Woza Albert, I wrote Asinamali and we were reunited in the early 80’s because he was one of the five original cast members. Asinamali was presented here in South Africa, then went on to Broadway and performed all over the world after that. He was one of those brilliant stage actors you never forget. I will miss him greatly as part of the Committed Artists family.”

The artSMart review by Caroline Smart of Asinamali’s season at The Playhouse in 2004 describes Thami Cele as always being a very compelling performer and a delight to watch.” The storyline deals with five inmates of Leeuwkop Prison and as the play progresses, they describe the circumstances that brought them to their incarceration. It’s hard to single out any one actor as this is such a well-constructed and presented ensemble piece but individually they all shine.”

The funeral will take place on January 28 at 10h00 at the Assemblies of God in Clermont, after which his body will be laid to rest in the Ashley Cemetery in Pinetown.

ROYAL BALLET'S O'HARE FOR CTIBC

An outstanding panel of judges will assess 50 entrants from South Africa and the world in the upcoming Cape Town International Ballet Competition next month.

The third Cape Town International Ballet Competition (CTIBC) has announced an impressive jury for the 2012 competition which takes place in Cape Town from February 27 to March 4. The panel includes Kevin O’Hare, director-designate of The Royal Ballet who takes up his appointment as director of the legendary British ballet company later this year.

Also serving on the jury for the first time will be Dr Ramona da Sáa, Director and Professor, National Ballet School of Cuba; Leticia Müller, former ballerina of Birmingham Royal Ballet, UK and PACT Ballet, SA; and Lynn Wallis, Artistic Director of the Royal Academy of Dance, London. Returning judges are Septime Webre, Artistic Director of The Washington Ballet, Washington DC; Hae Shik Kim, Professor Emeritus, Korea National University of Arts, Chairman of the Korea Ballet Festival and Chairman of the Korea World Dance Day; Mario Galizzi, Artistic Director, Ballet de la Plata, Argentina; and SA-born Charla Genn, Faculty Member, Julliard School, New York.

These major international ballet personalities will assess professional and non-professional dancers from South Africa and around the world who will soon be jetting into the Mother City to compete for gold, silver and bronze medals and substantial monetary prizes. For the first time in the history of the biennial CTIBC, male and female participants will be judged separately in both the classical and contemporary sections. There are 50 entrants this year, from SA and the Republic of South Korea, Argentina, Armenia, Russia, the USA, Brazil, Australia, China and Cuba, ranging from 15 to 28 years of age.

To further enhance the standard of the competition and the entrants, the CTIBC co-operates with the South Korea International Dance Competition, the Geneé International Ballet Competition, several top ballet institutions in Cuba and the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) among others.

In line with his association with the YAGP, Dirk Badenhorst, CEO of the CTIBC, has announced that a South African candidate of his choosing will be given the opportunity to compete in the YAGP in New York next April. The CTIBC will award the dancer a return air ticket to New York at the final Gala performance that will bring the competition to a close on March 4.

For the Junior Division dancers are 15 to 18 years of age and for the Senior Division 19 to 28 years of age. Competitors may appear either as soloists or couples (pas de deux). More than 40 dancers from South Africa and abroad have expressed an interest in participating in the CTIBC which is set once again to be a thrilling dance event, high on the City’s cultural calendar.

Elimination rounds take place on February 28 and 29 and March 1 at 19h00. Tickets R40. The Final is on March 2 at 20h00, with tickets R65 to R225. The winners will be announced at the Gala performance on March 3 at 20h00.

Due to the enormous popularity of the Gala at previous competitions, a second gala has been added on March 4 at 15h00 at which the CTIBC winners and distinguished international and SA ballet stars will perform and the SA candidate to compete in the Youth America Grand Prix will be announced. Tickets R90 to R300 with booking via Computicket, Artscape Dial-A-Seat on 021 421 7695 and 0861 915 8000 or visit www.ctibc.com

The Cape Town International Ballet Competition is supported by the City of Cape Town and the Chiappini Trust.

THE REAL GROUP

(Morten Vinther, Emma Nilsdotter, Anders Edenroth, Katarina Henryson, Anders Jalkéus)

"Terrific, all of it!" raved The London Times about their recent UK concert. Now music lovers in KZN can thrill to the experience of hearing the internationally celebrated Swedish acapella singing sensation, The Real Group, live in concert, with the acclaimed Kearsney College Choir on February 9.

In music circles, The Real Group Swedish acapella phenomenon needs no introduction. They are held as one of the most respected and best-selling vocal acapella groups in the world. Kearsney College has been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to host and collaborate with this five-piece vocal ensemble on their first concert tour to South Africa.

The group is famous for their arrangements of well-known pop and jazz songs and have recorded over 15 albums during the last 15 years. Their following is growing at an accelerated rate and it is expected that Durban audiences will be no different.

The group boast five of the best singers in the business, all with perfect pitch and able to sing practically anything, from imitating a tuba to a piccolo flute or a distortion guitar, and “scatting” at an alarming pace to the most difficult of harmonies. The ensemble tours all over the world, giving approximately 280 performances per year. They have recently returned from Korea and performed in Scandinavia for the Christmas season.

The programme will include a capella arrangements of songs by Michael Jackson, the Count Basie Band, Mozart, Britney Spears and Bach, among others. The Kearsney College Choir will open the show to publicize and create awareness of their upcoming tour to the World Choir Games and the United Nations in the USA.

The concert will take place at the City Hill Church, Hillcrest, on February 9 at 19h00. Reserved seats are R130, unreserved R70 (students / pensioners discounts available for both prices). Block bookings at R50pp available for groups of more than 30. Book now through Computicket outlets, or call 0861 915 800 or book online at www.computicket.com

For more about The Real Group log onto www.therealgroup.se

DEATH OF THAMI CELE

(Pic by Val Adamson: Thami Cele as he appeared in the 2004 Playhouse production of "Asinamali")

Renowned Durban actor Thami “Mshefane” Cele who impressed audiences in South Africa and in other parts of the world, died last week. He was a member of the award-winning musical drama Asinamali, directed by Mbongeni Ngema.

The MEC for Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha, has appealed to all stakeholders in the music industry to ensure that artists do not die penniless. She was speaking in Clairmont today during her visit to Cele’s family.

“At the time of his death, Cele was instrumental in mentoring young artists in the Clairmont area. Showering praises as artists in Clairmont, we must strive to emulate Cele who left a stamp of excellence in everything he did,” she said.

Expressing her deepest condolences to the family, the MEC described Cele as a revolutionary who used art to fight the apartheid regime. “We are all saddened by his untimely death and his talent will be sorely missed, particularly by the young artists he was mentoring in the township,” she added.

Sibhidla-Saphetha urged artists to work closely with the KwaZulu-Natal Music House, a public entity whose primary mandate is to record and document South African music especially the indigenous music that is representative of the diverse South African cultural heritage.

She also made a call to young artists to utilise government institutions that are tasked to support them if they encounter any challenges. South Africa has seen many famous artists who have died poor and neglected.

The funeral service of Cele will be held at the Assemblies of God and his body will be laid to rest at Ashley Cemetery in Pinetown.

Tribute and funeral date and time to follow.