UTheo Bophela akasekho emhlabeni
UQOLOTHAKAMANGO emculweni we-jazz, uTheo Bophela (86), akasekho emhlabeni.
Ngokusho kwendodana yakhe, uBarney Bophela, umufi ushonele kwakhe eNanda Mission, eThekwini, izolo ngemuva kokuxinwa yisifo sikashukela.
“Uvuke ekuseni wadla iphalishi, wageza. Bathe sebethi bayomgcoba ngezithuba zabo 10 ekuseni, bamfica esethule.”
UBarney uthe uyise uqale wahlaselwa yisifo sikashukela ebesimbamba sibuye simyeke.
“Kuthe kusuka wayephelelwa wuthando lokudla. Ubesephila ngokuphuza umdoko nezinye iziphuzo, ukudla kungasangeni. Bekuthi noma simxina ngokudla, avele akubuyise.”
UBophela wazalelwa eSiphangweni, eMtshezi, ngoMashi 15, 1931.
Unina wamshiya emhlabeni eneminyaka emibili, uyise washona eneminyaka emihlanu, wakhuliswa ngugogo wakhe eMkhumbane, eThekwini.
Waqala ukucula esemncane kakhulu esontweni kangangoba waze waqeqeshwa nguPatrick J Chambers.
Ngemuva kokuphothula uGrade 12, wasebenza lapho kwakukhandwa khona imisakazo. Yilapho aqala khona ukuba nothando lomculo we-jazz. Wagcina esefundela ukudlala upiyano. Wasebenza neSwingsters Jazz Band, Chromatic Jazz Band, Keynotes Jazz Group, Theo Bophela Trios & Quartets Jazz Ressurection Orchestra.
Ubenoxhaxha lwamakhono futhi uhambele amazwe amaningi okuyiGreece, Holland, Australaia and New Zealand futhi wabhidisa iSoweto Jive e- Alkmaar, eHolland, nomufi uSophie Mgcina noTimothy Ndaba.
Ubhale izingoma eziningi ze-Opera ezisetshenziswe yiKZN Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra neNqwelo Afrika Jazz Group.
Ubambe elikhulu iqhaza ekuqongeleleni imali yokusiza iMasisizane Centre eseNanda. Wake wasebenza noGibson Kente emdlalweni wakhe owawuthi Manana The Jazz Prophet nasemdlalweni othi Madiba’s Farewell eMarket Theatre eGoli.
Eseneminyaka ewu-79 wasungula iqembu lakhe iNqwelo Africa futhi wathola o-distinctions abawu-19 ezifundweni zomculo e-UKZN.
Ubeyilungu leKZN Arts and Culture Council, Social Transformation Sub-Comittee nezinye izinhlangano. Ushiye emhlabeni amadodana akhe amane okunguBongani, Barney, Phumlani noScelo. UBarney uthe uyise uzofihlwa emathuneni aseNanda ngoMgqibelo.