Flag plan flayed as gospel star Fraser’s life lamented
SONG and dance dominating and a bit of controversy were the order of the day at the memorial service held to celebrate award-winning gospel singer Deborah Fraser.
A memorial service – which was held yesterday for Fraser who died early this week after a long illness – was a true celebration of her contribution to the music industry and the gospel industry, in particular, at the House of Treasures Ministries in Rispark.
Maskandi singer and friend for more than 40 years, Linah Ngcobo, said Fraser was a good friend who loved life and helped many children.
“Besides her own children, Deborah had a lot of children she educated and helped during her life,” Ngcobo said.
Speaking on behalf of her record label, Elouise Kelly, of Universal Music Group, said Fraser was a true legend who rose from being a backing vocalist and session musician to one of the greatest gospel singers in the country.
Kelly added that the star’s passing came after she had completed recording her 14th album scheduled to be released later this year.
The memorial service took a turn when Ike Khumalo, who represented Nhlanhla “Lux” Mohlauli in his recent case, stormed the stage and demanded to know where the Arts and Culture Department were when the gospel singer was sick and in need of help.
“Where was the department when Deborah Fraser was ill and no one could help her. The department must commit R20 million to Deborah Fraser as they seem to have money for flags,” Khumalo said before leaving the stage.
Vuyani Mpofu, of the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, said the issues faced by the music industry couldn’t go unnoticed.
“We must be kind to our artists because this industry was hit hard by Covid-19. The passing on of Fraser is an issue that we want to indicate that we have lost one of the greats,” Mpofu said. He added that Fraser was not a musician but a person of nobility.
Chicco Twala said she met Fraser in the 1980s and took time to collaborate with her after Brenda Fassie told the record label that her voice deserved better.
“There’s a lot of money to bury her tidy, but there was no money to make sure she gets medical assistance. She deserves better and when I met her in 2019 in Southgate, she was selling eggs in her car. I never thought a musician like her would not get support from the government,” Twala told those gathered.
Fraser will be laid to rest in Hillcrest, KwaZulu-Natal, tomorrow.