Belated singer was a voice for change, says MEC
MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation Hlengiwe Mavimbela visited the late Deborah Fraser’s home in KwaMashu.
Mavimbela held a prayer meeting to honour the late musician and to offer her condolences and word of encouragement to the family.
The MEC described the musician’s death as a “sudden death one was not waiting for”. Mavimbela mentioned how Fraser had raised the KwaZuluNatal flag high and even though she was based in Gauteng, they were always proud of the star Fraser was.
“The Gauteng Arts office would always brag about her, but I would always remind them that she is originally ours. Her death was very unfortunate, I encourage the family to be courageous in the Lord. I hope they will remember her as a star who changed a lot of souls with just her voice,” said Mavimbela.
She said that the department would like to give her a stellar burial but owing to the recent tragic circumstances that the province and country have been through recently – from the Covid-19 pandemic, the July unrest to the devastating floods – Mavimbela asked the family to bear with the department, and said that it would donate what it could.
“We still have people missing from the floods, some are still without any shelter, it would be unfair to them. We wish the family unites with us, had the circumstances been different we would have given her the best one yet,” she said.
Cultural and Creative Industries Federation of SA (CCIFSA) provincial chairperson Thokozani “Tzozo’” Zulu said Fraser’s death cut deep because the country had lost a legend.
“It is really sad to lose someone who has always been the consoler in the group, as she was always with us all the time when a member of the organisation passed on. She really put us on the map as she was always looking out for us, she was like a mother to us and this is huge of a loss,” said Zulu.
CCIFSA regional chairperson Mbusi Sokhela also expressed how sad this was as Fraser was one of the artists they had grown up watching prosper. He said even though they were doing different genres, Fraser had always been willing to help and went out of her way to make sure that local talent was recognised. Sokhela said she united all the genres, from maskandi to kwaito and gospel.
Mavimbela said that Premier Sihle Zikalala, who couldn't attend the event, passed on his condolences.
Among the artists who accompanied Mavimbela were Zakwe, Phunyuka from Imbewu, Avante and uZalo.
No official funeral arrangements and decisions have been made.