Star dies in N2 crash
THE entertainment industry is mourning the tragic passing of talented artist, Mpilo Ndlazi of Nseleni Township. He was one of the five people who perished in the horrific accident on the N2 near Mtunzini on Sunday afternoon. Ndlazi made his mark while working on the theatre production of the ‘Death of the Emperor Shaka’ with his band, HoSound, for two consecutive years.The playwright and theatre producer of the play, Wellington Makwakwa, was shocked by the news of Mpilo’s passing.
‘We worked together on my production. He was a committed and talented artist who went beyond expectations.’ When we placed the production in the first year, he took it upon himself to take the lead when it came to the musical direction of the play. ‘No one will be able to replace his incredible talent, and as we prepare to take the production on the road next year, I don’t know if there will be anyone good enough to do what he did. ‘I will always be grateful to have worked with him,’ said Makwakwa.
One artist who worked with Ndlazi for almost 12 years, Anella Ngwenya, described Ndlazi as a creative and supportive soul who forwarded her career.
‘He shaped me, encouraged me and gave me a voice in the industry.
‘The music and entertainment industry will never be the same and his work will always be remembered,’ said Ngwenya.
Meanwhile, the DA KZN spokesperson for Transport, Rafeek Shah has urged police to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident.
Shah said there were claims that one of the drivers was texting while driving. However, King Cetshwayo Police Cluster spokesman, Captain Mbongeni Mdlalose, said their preliminary investigation revealed that one of the drivers was overtaking on the two lane freeway which caused a head-on collision.
‘Two people are still fighting for their lives at the hospital and one is in the ICU. The other four souls who perished during the accident are Cheema Muben, Cheema Ahsan-Ullah, Njabuliso Zwane (37) and Saluleko Mthokazi (23). All of them are from Swaziland,’ said Mdlalose.
Was texting involved in the accident that took five lives?