Renowned ZCC gospel artist, Dr Kenny Makweng, will be laid to rest on Sunday in Mpumalanga. The Ke Mosione hitmaker passed away on Monday following a short illness, aged 51.
According to a statement released by the KennyMak Productions on Wednesday afternoon, Makweng will be remembered at a memorial service scheduled to take place at the Akasia Community Hall on Friday.
Family Spokesperson, Advocate Mphafolane Koma, says proceedings on Friday are expected to start at midday.
“We are expecting throngs of music lovers and his colleagues in the music industry to come in numbers and we are urging people to come early so that we can start on time and give Dr Makweng the honour that he deserves,” says Koma.
“Then on Sunday, we will have hold his funeral service at his home in Digwale and from there we will travel to Keerom where he will be then laid to rest,” he adds.
A staunch member of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC), Makweng, who shot to fame with his debut album “Eloyi Lamasabakathane” with Masogana A Kgotso in 1997, suffered a stroke on the 31st of December and remained in a critical condition in hospital until his passing on Monday.
Tributes pour in
Since his passing fellow artists and gospel music fans have been sending their condolences to the Makweng family and expressing their shock at the passing of a ZCC gospel music legend – a gospel genre which originated from within the ZCC church.
“My night did not end well. You were one of the artists I loved so much and called you Malome wa bana baka (my kids’ uncle). Motho wa go hloka ditshele (a person who never held grudges), accommodating everyone with so much love and respect,” writes Dr Winnie Mashaba on social media.
“Thank you for all the memories we have created, Mokone. I’m surely gonna miss your voicenotes calling me Kgaetšedi (sister) and how you kept on checking on us. Yesterday I was really hoping that they would update me on how better you were but that msg of re paletswe ke go diša messed up my night,” she added.
Long-time friend and backing vocalist, Thulani Mthimunye, wrote, “I wish someone can wake me up to tell me it’s a dream. Rest in Peace my Friend, my brother Dr Kenny Makweng. I had hope that you will wake up, but only God knows.”
“We are still speechless. The news of your passing left us broken and numb since last night. This is totally tragic and shattering news. Our hearts go out to your family and your boys. May God give them the strength they require in this moment. May your beautiful soul find peace Makweng,” writes two-time SAMA Award nominee Sione Gospel group, Wacha Mkhukhu Wachumilo.
Makweng who was born in Mpumalanga first into the music industry in 1987 as a founding member of the Mabopane-based Nkosana and Stocks and Stocks gospel choir formed by the late Charles Nkosana Kodi.
He took part in the group’s maiden album A Ba Rapele Ka Nnete produced by Solomon Molokwane popularly known as Solly Moholo.
Following the passing of his father in 1994, Makweng returned to Mpumalanga and he ceased to be a member of Stocks and Stocks before he was eventually persuaded to get back to recording music in 1997. That year he released Eloyi Lamasabakathane with Masogana A Kgotso, the first of a string of projects he produced until his passing.
During his 27-year career as a recording artist, Makweng worked with music giants including the late Oleseng Shuping, Nkosana, Lucas ‘Mojeremane’ Xale on The Rock, and collaborated with other artists including the late Nana Coyote. Bafana Ba Mmino and Kenny with Friends are some of the groups Makweng formed.
