Ray’s cousin fears she’ll miss funeral
She’d hoped for lift from Stimela group
Ray Phiri’s cousin Grace Phiri told mourners at his memorial that she was “shattered” that she might not attend his funeral after Stimela members left her behind.
The music legend died last week after a struggle with cancer. He and Grace, who was born in South Africa but grew up in Malawi, shared a grandfather. She now lives in Johannesburg, where she runs a charity organisation in Hillbrow.
Grace said she feared she would miss out after Stimela band members changed their travel plans after they had promised to give her a lift. The band left for Mbombela yesterday morning.
“I wanted to bury Ray with all my heart and I also wanted to meet his mother for the first time. I am not angry at the group because I know they wanted to go with me,” said Grace.
Jabu Sibumbe of Stimela admitted meeting Grace but denied promising her a lift.
She met Phiri in 1986 and they lived in the same building for 10 years.
“When we met he was misinformed about his father’s origins. I’m the one who gave him the correct information.”
It was not clear yesterday if Grace would eventually travel to Mpumalanga for the burial.
She was speaking to Sowetan at Phiri’s memorable service at Newtown Music Factory in Johanneburg.
While the turnout was not big, the service was highly spirited. Gospel singers such as Thinah Zungu, Neyi Zimu, and Tau Diarora raised the roof.
Speakers hailed Phiri as a true storyteller and described him as a visionary.
Music veterans Fitzroy Ngcukana, Mercy Phakela, Jonas Gwangwa, Prince Lengoasa and Louis Mhlanga recalled happy memories with Ray Phiri at the service.
Jerry Mabuza of the National Arts Council said: “It’s sad that people like Bra Ray leave us when we still need them. He preached morals.”
Recording executive Sipho Sithole said Phiri’s music shaped many careers. He emphasised that Phiri did not die a pauper. “Bra Ray was very brave and fought apartheid through his music. Some of his songs were banned and not played on radio,” Sithole said.
Promoter Sam Mangwana, who has been booking Phiri and his band Stimela for years, said he would remember how Phiri never disappointed him.
“Ray was very disciplined; we book musicians and sometimes they do not pitch. They [Stimela] were always punctual.”