Kabelo Mabalane, colleague of the late rapper, Linda “ProKid” Mkhize has called to government to ensure that the cost of data in the country drops.
Mabalane says local artists will not be supported if fans cannot access their music. He was speaking at Mkhize’s funeral, held at the University of Johannesburg in Soweto.
Mkhize died last week after a severe seizure attack.
Funeral proceedings for Linda ‘ProKid’ Mkhize will be held at the University of Johannesburg this morning #ProKidFuneral #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/fzV6ZstVXG
— Zoleka Qodashe (@ZOLEKV_Q) August 19, 2018
“The data must fall movement is an important one. I’m asking you to heed the call because if this data must fall movement falls flat on its face, artists in this country will not make money. We need every single part of this infrastructure to help us make a living,” says Mabalane.
Mkhize has been praised for paving the way for many hip-hop artists that came after him. One of the executives of his recording company TS Records, TK Ngciza says they made history together.
“He believed in us. We worked together and at the time there was no corporate South Africa that came through for many artists.”
“So it meant they really relied on royalties and publishing and gigs. So they didn’t really make a lot of money through royalties but one thing that the parents and people must take from this thing, ProKid really has paved the way for many hip-hop artists, in fact, he is the real Soweto number one boy, he is the pro he is the king of hip-hop,” says Ngciza.
His younger brother Sandile Mkhize was overwhelmed with emotions bidding his brother farewell.
“I’ve been with Linda. He’s been with me in my heart, in my mind the whole time. Even after his passing I went and found Linda after I got a call. All I could do was tell Linda that I will take over from the vision that he had. I know Linda is smiling. I would not like to listen to anything else. I know Linda is smiling and he loves us all as we are taking him to his final resting place,” says Mkhize.
He was buried at West Park Cemetery.
Local hip hop fans & music lovers alike gather to lay Linda Mkhize to rest #ProKidFuneral #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/5u5Xb7iVXL
— Zoleka Qodashe (@ZOLEKV_Q) August 19, 2018
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