Life of gospel star celebrated
A jubilant spirit of praise at memorial
THERE was a jubilant spirit of praise as the worshippers sang at gospel star Lundi Tyamara’s memorial service at the Grace Bible Church in Soweto.
The church was filled to capacity and Tyamara’s friends helped usher the family and friends to their seats.
Presenter Penny Lebyane was tasked with the responsibility of programme director, which she admitted to have declined at first. “I didn’t want to take this duty on as I didn’t even know where I was going to start,” she said.
Rev Bheki Gamedze shared the Gospel with the cheerful crowd, reminding them that even though the ceremony was to celebrate the Mphefumlo wam hit-maker, they should remember that the family were hurting.
When the cousin accompanied Tyamara’s brother Siyabonga Tyamara to do a tribute to the singer, a sombre atmosphere descended on many of the fans. “We as a family are hurt. We watched our brother in pain,” said the cousin, who spoke on Siyabonga’s behalf.
Fight
She explained how she begged Tyamara to fight to stay alive. “I am fighting, mtase (sibling), but if it is the Lord’s will I won’t win, and that is okay,” she recalled him saying with tears in her eyes.
When Dr Sindile Simama went to speak on behalf of his friends, they all ascended the stage in song. Simama said he hoped to show the people (especially the media) that Tyamara was a people’s person with a lot of true friends.
“South Africa is at fault. Lundi was broken and it was all because of us,” Simama said.
He added that people were mourning a one-dimensional artist because the media only showed them Tyamara’s weaknesses.
There were loud cheers as Sizwe Zako and Dr Rebecca Malope went on stage to speak about the deceased and his great talent. There were few dry eyes as Malope took the microphone. She sang a song for Tyamara, saying: “Go well, my son. May the Lord accept your soul.”
There were a few light moments as veteran music artists spoke of the threat Tyamara posed when he entered the industry.
Lebyane jokingly asked Deborah Fraser if she formed part of the “conspiracy” to eliminate Malope to create space for Tyamara.
Fraser went straight for the elephant in the room when she took the podium. “I love you, gay people,” she said, “because you guys are supportive and full of love.”
She received a long round of applause as the LGBTI community, whose presence dominated, appreciated her words. The statement also shed light on the fact that a close friend of Tyamara, Somizi Mhlongo, was not present at the church, which is where he felt he experienced gay-bashing from a guest pastor last month.
The speakers who followed noted that Tyamara shared all aspects of himself against their advice, as they believed it made him vulnerable.
Politicians and celebrated media personalities also attended, including MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Faith Mazibuko; Hlaudi Motsoeneng; musi- cians iHashi Elimhlophe, Mercy Phakela, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Benjamin Dube, Sipho Makhabane, Tshedi Mholo and the Jaziel Brothers; actors Andisiwe Dweba and Aaron Moloisi; and Ayanda Ncwane, wife of late gospel singer Sfiso Ncwane.