Calls for help rise after HHP suicide – depression group
Dispute over Hip Hop Pantsula’s funeral was fought to the very end
THE South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) has been inundated with calls from people seeking help following the death of Jabulani Tsambo, aka HHP.
The calls were for assistance from people who felt helpless, hopeless and desperate for crisis intervention for depression and even suicide.
“This week, we have had great numbers of additional callers, concerned family members and even work colleagues asking for help and information, ” said Cassey Chambers.
The organisation said it usually received up to 600 calls per day, but with the shock and sadness of HHP’S death, and increased media and awareness around depression and suicide, the calls had increased considerably.
“Sadag is not funded by government, and we have to source money from private donations or corporates to help pay for the calls. We need more funds.”
THE dispute over late rapper Jabulani ‘HHP’ Tsambo’s burial was fought until the bitter end.
Although the South Gauteng High Court in Joburg called on Friday for the spirit of ubuntu to prevail, the rapper’s customary wife, Lerato Sengadi, cut a forlorn figure at the funeral in the Mahikeng Convention Centre yesterday. Sengadi, legally recognised as HHP’S spouse after an eleventh hour court bid to stop the planned funeral, sat with her family, a few seats from the Tsambos.
The dispute was over where the rapper’s final resting place would be. Sengadi argued that her husband’s wish was to be buried at West Park Cemetery in Joburg. But the judge ruled that the provincial official funeral go ahead as planned in Mahikeng.
He implored Sengadi to attend the funeral there in the spirit of ubuntu.
“I want to make a request that this concept of ubuntu must be given traction in this case – that fairness and equity and the balance of convenience dictates that there are other interests which are appreciated in this application. The deceased was not just an ordinary person, he was a national figure and deserves a decent funeral which has been arranged by the father, who I believe did that out of his good heart,” said Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng.
Speaking after the court proceedings, Sengadi said she was happy with the judgment and would continue to honour her husband’s wishes.
But tensions seemed not to have simmered down, as she was not recognised as one of the people HHP is survived by or given a chance to pay tribute to him.
“He (HHP) is survived by his parents, two sisters Ayanda and Zanele Tsambo, his son Leano Laone Sekete Khanye and nephew Oamogetswe Bogolo Tsambo,” said the obituary.
A tribute read at the service said HHP’S mother found solace in the memories she shared with her son.
“Jabu, there was an incredible feeling of joy when I saw you take your first breath and a terrible feeling of emptiness when I learnt that you had taken your last breath.
“But between those two breaths, there are 38 good years which I am truly and forever thankful to God for.”
Afterwards only close family and friends proceeded to the Matlalong grave site, where Sengadi broke down.