News / Africa
Zim fans to attend Masondo funeral
10 Jul 2015 at 11:22hrs | Views
Johannesburg - Zimbabwean music fans who live in Johannesburg say they will attend the funeral service of the late Soul Brothers lead singer, David Masondo on Sunday to show their appreciation for his love of the people of Bulawayo.
Masondo died in Johannesburg last weekend of undisclosed illness after he was admitted to Garden City hospital in May.
He will be buried on Sunday at his Hammersdale home in KwaZulu-Natal.Senior national and provincial leaders of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) in KZN are also expected to attend the funeral alongside scores of musicians and fans.
"Masondo was like one of our own in Bulawayo and the whole of Matabeleland region.Some of us grew up believing Soul Brothers were a Zimbabwean band," said Vusumuzi Hadebe of Tsholotsho.
Hadebe who lives in Hillbrow says he and his friends will be at the funeral on Sunday.He said scores of Zimbabweans have hired their own transport for the funeral and would be leaving Johannebsurg on Saturday for Durban then Hammersdale.
Masondo's death has touched many music fans inside and outside South Africa. John from Chipata in Zambia wrote in his Facebook page that he grew up listening to the Soul Brothers music because his father loved the group even though he did not understand isiZulu.
Democratic Alliance leader, Musi Maimane tweeted: "I am listening to Soul Brothers now. Bra David Masondo rest in peace.My parents loved their music and so I grew up listening to his greatness too.
In Cape Town, taxi bosses allegedly ordered their drivers to play Soul Brothers music until his burial on Sunday and the fans were not disappointed.
"Masondo will be greatly missed.Soul Brothers will survive but they will never replace that great man David Masondo," said Taxi boss, Mluleki Qubeka of Khayelitsha.
The legendary Masondo was not only the Soul Brothers lead singer.He was the chief song writer for the band, dance choreographer and an inspiration to band members.
He was the face of the Soul Brothers and mbaqanga music.
Source - Thabo Kunene
