Yes, the gallant has fallen in bra Joe “S’dumo” Mafela, who lived his life to the fullest.
This is the reaction from the public to the man whom many adored and came to live with on screens during the apartheid era.
“S’dumo” as he was affectionally renowned within the film and arts industry past last week in horrific car accident. As yet, police have not released further information.
Born 1942 in Sibasa-Limpopo bra Joe or S’dumo (writer, poet, comedian and film producer) became a hot for property for having wowed fans on stage in Soweto (Mofolo) to hitting our small screens.
The jolly and one of the most admired lad’s within the entertainment sector, made appearances in the likes of Udeliwe”, Shout at the devil”, “Sgudi ‘Snaysi” (“it is good; it is nice”) and Stokvel to mention a few.
In 1996 he released his first album Shebeleza that became a huge success. The title track, Shebeleza, was used as a theme song during the Africa Cup of Nations in 1996. Then followed other songs such as Pitoli and Congo, respectively.
In 2005 he received a lifetime management theatre achievement award. This was followed by numerous awards that included the Duku Duku award. In 2015 he was honoured with Lifetime achievement award at the Savanna Comics’ Choice Awards.
Mafela also scooped the best comedic actor award at the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA).
He was a first black person to win a Loerie Award.
I was fortunate to interview him at the 2016 Comics Awards when he responded tersely: “mfana wam’ it doesn’t matter how long it takes to be honoured when one’s still alive, the fact is these people have honoured me in my living days,” wat se jy nou (what’s your response) when asked why it took long for him to be acknowledged.
‘S’dumo was 75 at the time of his death.
At the time of publishing details for memorial service and funeral were still unknown.
