The family of the former Skeem Saam actor, Charles Maja, and the Limpopo Artists Movement (LAM), have organised a public memorial service for the deceased artist – But only after the lockdown.
The memorial service is expected to take place at the former actor’s homeplace in a village of Ga-Maja in Limpopo.
He will be buried this Saturday (April, 18) in Ga-Maja.
Maja, known as the drunkard mechanic, Big Boy Mabitsela on Skeem Saam, and Bra Tick on Thobela FM’s radio drama Mahlakung, was confirmed dead on Thursday after he was rushed to hospital following a stroke the same morning.
Family spokesperson and brother to the fallen veteran, Wilson Maja, said they hoped that all who knew and loved the deceased would attend the funeral. But the national lockdown restricted the number of people who could come to the funeral.
“The death of Charles has left the family depressed because he left without notice, no one would have thought that he wouldn’t be with us today.
“He never suffered a long illness which would have given us thoughts that he would not be with us, it was sudden. He just got sick, then was suddenly not a part of us, this hurts us all – even his supporters that are coming through for condolences have been saying that they feel the same way,” said Wilson.
He said not being able to remember his life now, with all who knew and loved him, brought them pain as a family as they were struggling to get sleep and suffer severe headaches daily.
“I always feel like I would see him cross to the backyard, but pain is really just pain we cannot ignore it as one of us has left this world,” he said.
LAM chairperson and friend to the late Maja Mphoza Mashabela, in partnership with Bataung Memorial Tombstones, have donated a tombstone worth R75 000.
Mashabela said it will be unveiled after President Cyril Ramaphosa has uplifted the lockdown.
“We really feel honoured by Bataung Tombstones for what they have done for our member. We approached them because we wanted to do best for our fallen artist and build a working relationship with them.
“We do hope that Charles Maja will rest in eternal peace,” said Mashabela.
