Moving service for CJB’s Mnculwane
MUSICIANS and pop stars from the 1980s put aside their daily personal struggles to pay tribute to one of their own at a moving memorial service at the Bassline club in Newtown.
Close to 20 hitmakers from yesteryear danced and sang at the tribute to the late Bhekani Mnculwane, founder of the 1980s boy band CJB.
CJB, whose members included John Galanakis and Banzi Khubeka, are best known for their 1980s hits such as Tonight I Need Somebody, Happy Birthday and The Boss is Back. Mnculwane, 59, also known as Cyril, Napoleon and Nkosi, was the band’s producer and played the keyboard. He died on April 30 from natural causes.
The intimate memorial service for the superstar was devoid of pomp. Mnculwane’s family struggled to raise funds for the memorial service and his funeral. Money for both was donated by, among others, former CBJ member Khubeka, and at the end of the memorial service, attendees donated money to the family.
Some of the artists who attended included singers Mercy Pakela and Condry Ziqubu.
“I am a producer because of what Cyril taught me,” said an emotional Buli Arosi during her speech.
Pakela described Mnculwane as her mentor.
“The first time I came to Johannesburg, CJB was the first band I worked with. We stayed at a security room at Downtown Studios and practised there with the band. We slept there together, all of us, and they never abused us. Instead they took care of us,” Pakela said, adding Mnculwane was an accomplished producer.
Gogo Mokwena, a neighbour, spoke of Mnculwane’s good nature, and how shattered his passing had left her. “Nkosi was not my biological son but I took care of him as if he was my own. He was a joyful chap and will forever stay in my heart,” she said.
Mnculwane will be buried in Orlando West, Soweto, tomorrow.