News / Local
Popular Bosso fan dies
04 Nov 2015 at 00:42hrs | Views
POPULAR Highlanders FC fan and Bulawayo socialite Raymond Fungai "Jones" Nyamapfeni has died.
He was 42. Jones, a regular at Bosso training sessions and matches since he was 12 years old, died on Sunday at Mpilo Central Hospital. He had been admitted to the institution for almost two weeks. At the time of his death, he was one of the most popular people in Mzilikazi suburb and the wider city of Bulawayo.
Highlanders technical advisor Cosmas Zulu said the team was shocked and saddened by the news of Jones' death. "Since he was 12, Jones would always attend our training sessions where he would help with picking up balls, carrying kits and any other tasks. He was a dedicated, hard working fan who devoted his time to the team," said Zulu.
"Jones easily made friends with anyone, including the likes of the late Willard Khumalo. This is a great loss to many of us and we're still in shock. May his soul rest in peace." Writing on his Facebook wall, Chronicle and Sunday News columnist, Lenox Mhlanga, paid tribute to Jones.
"The indefatigable 'Jones' character. He who outlived all the shebeen queens who exploited his suave PR skills. Never embarrassed to ask for a dollar. His trademark lisp worse than mine. One of Bulawayo's most enduring characters . . . gone to heaven. I imagine him at the Pearly Gates, trademark notebook in hand announcing ukuthi, "Lami sengiyinatshi!" Umdlalo ungaphi lapha?" Bye bye tshomi lami, The J-O-N-E-S!!!".
His aunt and family spokesperson, Gladys Musiiwa, said: "We're more than shocked by the death of Jones because he died a sudden death. "About three months ago, Jones came from a party swollen on his right back side. He said he had bumped into something and it wasn't anything serious," she said.
Musiiwa told The Chronicle Jones had a relapse and the family took him to Mpilo Central Hospital two weeks ago. "He seemed to be recovering. Every morning he would go to the hospital gate to buy a newspaper.
"Last Friday we found him not the usual Jones and he complained of intense pain which resulted in his death on Sunday night at around 9PM," said Musiiwa. She said the community has been robbed of friend and a brother.
"Jones will be greatly missed because he was a socialite. He was friends with everyone including foreign artistes such as Dan Tshanda," she said.
Musiiwa said the family would miss his daily ritual of watching the 8PM news bulletin on ZBC.
Jones was not married and did not have children, according to family sources.
Mourners are gathered at Q46 in Mzilikazi.
He will be buried tomorrow at West Park Cemetery at 10AM.
He was 42. Jones, a regular at Bosso training sessions and matches since he was 12 years old, died on Sunday at Mpilo Central Hospital. He had been admitted to the institution for almost two weeks. At the time of his death, he was one of the most popular people in Mzilikazi suburb and the wider city of Bulawayo.
Highlanders technical advisor Cosmas Zulu said the team was shocked and saddened by the news of Jones' death. "Since he was 12, Jones would always attend our training sessions where he would help with picking up balls, carrying kits and any other tasks. He was a dedicated, hard working fan who devoted his time to the team," said Zulu.
"Jones easily made friends with anyone, including the likes of the late Willard Khumalo. This is a great loss to many of us and we're still in shock. May his soul rest in peace." Writing on his Facebook wall, Chronicle and Sunday News columnist, Lenox Mhlanga, paid tribute to Jones.
"The indefatigable 'Jones' character. He who outlived all the shebeen queens who exploited his suave PR skills. Never embarrassed to ask for a dollar. His trademark lisp worse than mine. One of Bulawayo's most enduring characters . . . gone to heaven. I imagine him at the Pearly Gates, trademark notebook in hand announcing ukuthi, "Lami sengiyinatshi!" Umdlalo ungaphi lapha?" Bye bye tshomi lami, The J-O-N-E-S!!!".
His aunt and family spokesperson, Gladys Musiiwa, said: "We're more than shocked by the death of Jones because he died a sudden death. "About three months ago, Jones came from a party swollen on his right back side. He said he had bumped into something and it wasn't anything serious," she said.
Musiiwa told The Chronicle Jones had a relapse and the family took him to Mpilo Central Hospital two weeks ago. "He seemed to be recovering. Every morning he would go to the hospital gate to buy a newspaper.
"Last Friday we found him not the usual Jones and he complained of intense pain which resulted in his death on Sunday night at around 9PM," said Musiiwa. She said the community has been robbed of friend and a brother.
"Jones will be greatly missed because he was a socialite. He was friends with everyone including foreign artistes such as Dan Tshanda," she said.
Musiiwa said the family would miss his daily ritual of watching the 8PM news bulletin on ZBC.
Jones was not married and did not have children, according to family sources.
Mourners are gathered at Q46 in Mzilikazi.
He will be buried tomorrow at West Park Cemetery at 10AM.
Source - chronicle
