Send-off show for Hillbrow shooting victim successfully held in Johannesburg

JOHANNESBURG - The send-off show for the Hillbrow shooting victim Allan Percy Ndlovu (26) was successfully held at Berea Park on Sunday the 3rd  of September.

Hundreds of mourners thronged  the venue to witness the emotionally charged performances of more than 20 groups. The concoction of the line-up has never been seen before and many observers drew lessons from the gathering.

The veteran musician Ankela Madalaboy who was amongst the main organisers also demonstrated leadership skills even on stage as other rumba artists followed suit.

"Artists showed a high level of maturity and togetherness because everything was accomplished through concerted efforts and that unity of purpose must live for ever," said Promise Sibanda aka Dj Mapressa, who was one of the Mcs partnered by Brandon Mcasiseli Gwaza.

"We would like to thank Prefect Tsheba for liaising with the bereaved family,Mlambos Express band for providing the sound system, Underground Entertainment and Mlungisi Madabudabu Tshabalala for organising the venue, BMK for providing security, Bheki Malinga for being the treasurer of the day, we would also like to appreciate all artists and masses who responded to the call," Sibanda added.

Speakers took turns in their key note addresses and the common denominator from their speeches was ‘no to violence,' a message which was thematically complemented by rumba lyrics.

The show was organised mainly to mobilise funds for the transportation of the body across Limpopo and to also to stage an anti-violence campaign through music and speeches.

Some of the community leaders who attended the event included Chief Zwelibanzi Gumede, Advocate Dumisani  Nleya , and Cornelius Mabhena (representing the Zimbabwean community in SA)

Organisations like The Zim-Imbokodo, Ibutho lenqama and different political parties were also spotted in the midst of the mourners.

The CEO  of Underground Entertainment Phakama 'PK'  Nkomo  , the promoter who had organised the show which experienced a fatal shooting at Hillbrow theatre, also addressed the media and confirmed that the shows will continue in the face of adversity, now with upgraded security and extra precautions never seen before.

"We have been organising shows for artists from Zimbabwe but we have never experienced this, we have had the likes of Ndolwane Super Sounds, Macheso and others whereby our venues are filled up but people remained safe. We would like to assure the public that our shows will continue as lined-up, only that some of them might change venues but we are waiting for the word from Hillbrow theatre management," said the tearful  Nkomo.

According to the organisers, the total amount raised on the day (stage collections plus contributions by artists) was R15560-00  of which part of it (R2500-00) will  cover  the medical expenses for the other injured victims.

Meanwhile the 33-year-old suspect has been arrested after he was allegedly involved in an armed robbery after the theatre shooting. He is charged with murder, attempted murder, armed robbery and possession of an unlicensed firearm.

The family confirmed that the funeral arrangements have been made for the deceased and his body will be laid to rest in his home country Zimbabwe. Mourners will depart South Africa on Thursday evening.

The doors are still open for all well-wishers and all donations can be channelled through the following contacts: (0820508255, 0845355254)