We became acquainted to each other while he was still at the public broadcaster, as a show presenter.
From then on we became ‘buddies’ but as fate would have it- we lost touch.
As time went, XG grew and ascended to greater heights and ended up with 702, his second stint with the station after going through an exhaustive therapy.
My last engagement with him was at the Standard Bank Sivukile media awards in Sandton last year, alongside the current Standard Bank headhoncho Lungisa Fuzile and other media gurus.
As an MC for the evening he spoke at length about the cruelty of cancer he had contracted, how it affected the family, his lifestyle and Doctors opinions being questioned “yet I had to raise my head up high for my loved ones”, accompanied by that quirky laughter.
Yes, your voice still reverberates in my head -so is that poetic, gentle voice ‘Mphephethwa’.
The cruelty of death (setlhogo sa leso), go on and rest my friend -the Angels are jostling to welcome you with open arms in that celestial view (as my former editor ntate Mothibi Mthethwa would attest).
You had an unfinished business between you and another great and fellow friend Robert Marawa. Its never enough because all of us are living on borrowed times- Only God knows our destiny and no-one else, finish & klaar.
To the family and friends- AMEN!
Robalang ka ntho madi a tshologe boGwala!
Meanwhile, memorial and funeral details have been confirmed through a press statement released on behalf of the family.
According to the statement, there will be two memorial services held in Xolani’s honour.
The first will take place on Wednesday 6 November at Our Lady of Lourdes Rivonia Catholic Church, while the second, hosted by 702, will happen on Thursday, 7 November.
Xolani will be buried in his hometown of Impendle in KZN on Saturday, 9 November.
In the statement, the family also requested that those who wish to send flowers instead make a donation to the Teddy Bear Foundation.
“A kind request from the family is for no flowers to be sent to the family home, Xolani’s heartfelt request was that instead of flowers, he would appreciate donations to the Teddy Bear Foundation to be made in his name,” the statement reads.
PLEASE SEE ALL INFO BELOW AS RECEIVED:
Wednesday 6 November – Memorial Service
Time: 10:00 – 13:00
Place: Our Lady of Lourdes Rivonia Catholic Church
Address: Rivonia Rd & North Rd, Rivonia, Sandton 2128
Thursday 7 November – 702 Memorial Service
Time: 9:30 – 13:00
Place: Grace House Family Church
Address: Unit 14 Production Park, 49 Epsom Avenue, North Riding, Randburg
9 November 2019 – Funeral
Time: 10:00
Place: Impendle, Kwa-Zulu Natal
Venue: Masimdumise Secondary School
Name of the village: KwaNovuka Impendle,
Image (Rest eternally in Peace ‘Mphephethwa’ XG, shall miss that signature laughter).
