Mourners blast Bacardi music at Vusi MaR5’s memorial
Slain muso hailed in unusual style
They came in cars and Tshirts branded with Vusi MaR5’s face on them, while others took it a bit to the extreme with cut-up denim jeans that revealed their bits.
This is how some of the mourners who gathered at Mabopane Indoor Sports Complex north of Pretoria chose to remember Itumeleng Mosoeu, better known as Vusi MaR5 the Barcadi king, during his memorial service yesterday. The hall was painted black.
Relatives and close friends wore personalised black Tshirts imprinted with the name of the slain music star.
The popular Tshwane music producer, DJ and Bacardi artist was killed in the early hours of Monday outside Zola’s Place, a pub in Soshanguve Ext 13, while out with friends.
Family, friends and fans arrived at the venue in a convoy of hooting cars playing loud Bacardi, a dance music genre popular in the townships of Tshwane. Among the mourners were musicians and entertainers that Vusi MaR5 has worked with, including Nelly Mawaza and Senzebi.
Mosoeu’s aunt Ester Mnisi told mourners that her nephew died when they were still preparing to celebrate her birthday this week.
“Vusi passed away on my birthday. I tried calling him in the morning to remind him that I am waiting for him,” she said.
She added that she will never forget what she saw at the scene of the crime.
“I looked at him and I called his name. He was not responsive and I was broken. He was so wet because the rain had fallen on his body,” said the crying Mnisi before she was removed from the podium.
Tsholofelo Hope Ntidisang, a colleague, said they wanted to appreciate Vusi MaR5 for his music and the changes he had made for the youth in Pretoria.
“He did not only contribute to the music industry but was also involved in community development programmes,” she said.
Gauteng SAPS spokesperson Col Dimakatso Sello said no suspects had been arrested as investigation continues.
Tshwane MMC of community of social development Peggy de Bruin said that entertainment industry has lost a giant even thought she did not know much about the deceased. She pleaded for crime to end in Mabopane.
“In Mabopane there are killings daily, they must come to an end. As the city we commit to support the artist not just attend funerals. Success for me is not the car you drive and the house you own but the number of lives you touched and I’m proud to say Vusi was successful that’s why this hall is packed,” said De Bruin.
Mosoeu will be buried on Sunday.