Death of actor delays EC awards

RHYTHM City actor Dumi Masilela, who was killed during a botched hijacking, had plans to host the inaugural Eastern Cape Hip-Hop Awards this month. Masilela was married to former Muvhango actress Simz Ngema.

Masilela was working with Ayabulela Mqina from Willington Entertainment to organise the event.

Masilela, 29, was shot during an attempted hijacking in Tembisa, East Rand, Gauteng last week.

He died in hospital on Thursday morning.

Mqina, who will be talking at the funeral on Saturday, said they had postponed the awards.

“Dumi and I had been working together for many years and we always had a great time,” he said.

He said Masilela’s death was a loss to the arts. “The Eastern Cape has been affected by this and it breaks my heart to think that he won’t be able to see this event come to life,” said Mqina.

The Eastern Cape Hip-Hop Awards were scheduled to take place on August 26 and 27.

They have been postponed to September 30 and October 1.

“This event needs to be done because Dumi was passionate about it. He was flowing with ideas and could not wait for the big day,” Mqina said.

Ngema’s older sister, Baxolile Ngema, confirmed to the Daily Dispatch this week that Masilela had been working with Mqina.

“They have been working on a number of projects together and the Eastern Cape Hip-Hop Awards was their latest.

“They were all excited about the event,” she said, adding that they were working towards becoming partners formally.

Baxolile said her sister was trying to be strong.

Masilela will be laid to rest this Saturday at Hope Restoration Ministries in Kempton Park, Johannesburg. —