Author: Eddie Hatitye
The family of deceased legendary gospel musician David Mulovhedzi is “disappointed” with the support they got from fellow South Africans when their father died late last year.
Mulovedzi, who was the co-founder of the multi-Grammy award winning Soweto Gospel Choir passed away in December last year, but his family fears that some of his fans may not be aware of his passing. Mulovhedzi’s eldest son, Jimmy says they were let down by local media, musicians and government.
“It’s very disappointing that musicians are still being treated like this. He was a great musician who brought two Grammy Awards home,” comments Jimmy.
An internationally-celebrated musician, Mulovhedzi was also the choirmaster, manager and director of the choir. In his illustrious career, he took the choir to almost every major city in the world, going as far as Saudi Arabia, Korea, Sweden, New Zealand, the US, England, Ghana, Italy and Spain.
Mulovhedzi also mentored a number of choirs in South Africa, including the Holy Jerusalem Choir and Domba La Africa Choir.
Poor media coverage
Jimmy says the coverage his father’s passing received from international media was by far better than what they got locally.
“We sent press releases but local radio stations were not keen to give us decent attention. It’s very disappointing because he was a humble man who helped a lot of people in this industry,” he comments.
He says of all the publications in South Africa, only The Daily Sun wrote an article about his father’s passing.
No support from Government
Jimmy, says they were also very disappointed at government’s failure to supply a speaker at their father’s funeral as is the tradition when revered musos die .
He says they expected more from government since Mulovedzi and his choir headlined government events singing for leaders, including, Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Mrs Zanele Mbeki and Tokyo Sexwale.
“We couldn’t understand it because he was an outstanding musician who dedicated all his life to South African music. The Soweto Gospel Choir was like his baby, even when he was seriously ill.”
Other funerals of deceased singing legends like Miriam “Mama Africa” Makeba and Brenda Fassie were attended by senior government officials.
During his lengthy tenure as leader of the choir, Mulovhedzi was also instrumental in the founding of the choir’s Nkosi’s Haven Vukani Foundation, which, ironically, “supports families and organisations that receive little or no government support.”
No musicians at funeral
Jimmy, who is also a musician, says only a handful of local musicians were present at the funeral.
“I didn’t see many musicians at the funeral. Only members of his choirs showed up,” he says.
However the singer says he is not discouraged and is ready to win more accolades after being asked to replace his father in the colorful choir.
“We are all musicians in my family and we know that these things happen in the music industry. So we are not discouraged at all.”
Mulovedzi died after a short battle with cancer, just after the completion of the choir’s latest album titled Grace.
He is survived by his wife and five sons. He was 61.
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March 17th, 2010 at 9:37 am
why am i mot suprised , the only hurting thing about our musician is that they lack to support one another henve the media will not take them serious, our musician needs to realise that no one can win the battle alone the have to help one another, this are the few hurting examples that shows that they really dont care . what about the pastor jay hlongwane was there ever much publicity the list is endless
Artist need to support each other ,stand together then they will get the attention they need from the media, we have people like Oleseng whom is a great muso why dont we see them making charity concert the money they get from there they pay his medical bills or support him . this shows how selfish they are and the turn to think all this wot happen to them and when it does they expect sympathy from supporters
my plea is that let them support each other first and then we will follow so will the media
March 24th, 2010 at 3:29 pm
THE IS NO ROYALTY CONCERNING DEATH, SO LET US NT MAKE IT A POPULARITY CONTEST. HE IS DEAD SO LETS MOVE ON WITH OUR LIFES
March 24th, 2010 at 7:36 pm
I would like 2send my condolences to the family of ntate david.i no mr david frm soweto gospel choir.i was a member de then i left.i am shocked to find out abt his passing here.he was a gud man any1 who knows him wil witness that.m heart broken.anyway wil heal with time.SOWETO CHOIR WIL NEVER BE THE SAME WITHOUT HIM.may ur soul mr david rest in peace.what u did gud in dis world wil be rewarded by God.family of mr david put everything in God’s hands.
March 25th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
wena itumeleng if there is nohing good that you can say please shut up , why do we have to stand your idiotics remarks on even simple things . come on man get real
March 25th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
Itumeleng is being out of hand. Where is humanity there? Such a disgrace human soul.
March 25th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
one day he will loose someone he loves then he will realise how painful it is that you cant even start to think of it , nevertheless my sympathy and condolance to the family i can imagine what they are going thru as in january i lost my father and a best friend in two weeks so i an relate to what they are going thru
May 23rd, 2010 at 1:16 pm
May his soul rest in peace.
December 17th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
great post, thanks for sharing
December 21st, 2010 at 5:30 pm
nice as well as enough admirable content just before force me for a note
June 23rd, 2011 at 4:01 am
Thank you for your thoughtful post!
January 29th, 2012 at 2:51 am
There are definitely plenty of details like that to take into consideration. That could be a great point to bring up.