Feeble-looking rapper Shebeshxt was unable to go to the cemetery to witness the final send off of his daughter, Onthatile Chuene. The funeral was held at the artist’s home township of Lebowakgomo in Limpopo yesterday.
Shebeshxt arrived at his home, where the funeral service was held, in a minibus and was lifted and placed on a wheelchair.
The musician appeared to be struggling to breathe on his own because he was carrying an oxygen cylinder.
Limpopo’s most sought after artist, who was wrapped up in a mini blanket and wore a woollen hat, was then pushed to the marquee, where the mourners gathered to pay their last homage.
The talented musician, who was escorted by security details and medical staff, cast his eyes over the galaxy of mourners, acknowledging their presence at the funeral service to support him and his family.
When Shebeshxt saw the coffin of his daughter and his grieving family, the talented song writer broke down and cried painfully, and almost everyone joined him in agony.
He lost the apple of his eye.
Onthatile died at the scene of the horrific accident on the R37 near Smelters Mine, south of Polokwane, when Shebeshxt’s Volkwagen Polo collided head on with a heavy motor vehicle on June 9. The fatal accident left Onthatile so badly disfigured that some family members were advised not to view her body during the visitation.
Shebeshxt too, could not attend the wake as he arrived when the programme was nearing its end. What appeared odd at the funeral was the tight security from various companies. Some were dressed in armoured protection and armed as if there were a security threat.
Although the funeral service was not a feeding frenzy for the media, the few newshounds who attended the memorial were not allowed to take pictures, especially of the rapper. A macho security guard issued the Sunday World journo a vehement verbal warning not to use the phone to take pictures. He threatened to confiscate the device should the warning be ignored.
On the day of the accident, the Ambulance hit maker was en route to perform at the ANC Siyanqoba Rally in Lebowakgomo.
Family spokesperson, James Magoro said that following the accident, the rapper was initially admitted to Polokwane Provincial Hospital but was later transferred to Netcare Pholoso Hospital, a private health care facility, with the assistance of EFF
leader Julius Malema.
The leader of the red berets is said to be the one paying Shebeshxt’s medical bills at the private facility, where he is receiving treatment and reportedly recovering gradually.
Known largely among his legion of devotees who follow his music religiously as “President of ya ma 2000”, Shebeshxt’s daughter’s funeral attracted a large crowd. The youth came in large numbers, some dressed similarly to the superstar.
A few metres away from the tent, a small group gathered to listen to Shebeshxt’s lyrics on a car stereo.
They gulped from green and brown bottles and spoke highly of their hero, for whom they wished a speedy recovery.
But it was not Shebe’s final send-off, it was the burial day of Onthatile, who was described as a blissful pupil by her teachers and fellow classmates at Northern Academy School in Polokwane.
Her principal, Margaret Lekganyane, said she remembers vividly the day Shebeshxt arrived at the school to enrol Onthatile.
When the well-known rapper got out of his car, chaos ensued, bringing lessons to a complete halt. “Teachers couldn’t understand why the learners were peering through the windows and screaming. Because I am not a fan of Shebeshxt’s music, I couldn’t understand what the fuss was all about.
“After the enrolment process was completed, he told me that he had brought his daughter to our school so that we could give her the best education.
“Every time Onthatile’s father came to fetch his daughter, all the kids at the school would gather around his car, and there was a loud noise. We then called [Shebe] to the office and advised him that next time he comes to fetch his daughter, he must come through unfamiliar entrances to avoid the commotion. One thing we have learned from Chauke is that he loved his daughter and wanted the best for her.”
The funeral attracted politicians and a myriad of artists from Limpopo and beyond.
Mpho Mashabela, chairman of the Limpopo Artist Movement took a swipe at the media and the provincial Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture.
“Journalists and some ineffective individuals on social media have initiated a campaign of defamation against artists, thereby tarnishing Shebe’s reputation. Then there was this useless MEC who couldn’t assist us as artists in any way whatsoever. We appreciate her removal from the arts portfolio expressed a furious Mashabela.
