Johannesburg – The death of musician and actor Senyaka Kekana is a loss for the entertainment industry, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa said on Thursday.
Nathi Mthethwa (File: Sapa)
“His death is a huge loss for the industry as he proved himself to be an example of a gifted and creative musical artist who exemplified the triumph of the human spirit,” Mthethwa said in a statement.
“Most importantly, Senyaka was blazing a new trail in the development, growth and production of locally made movies that target local communities.”
Kekana died from pneumonia at Kopanong Hospital in Vereeniging on Wednesday. He was 58.
Kekana helped popularise kwaito music and was known for hits such as Chisa Mpama, Romeo Wang Kolota, and Fong Kong.
He was the lead actor in the popular township comedy Moruti wa Tsotsi which recently received its own spin-off series on Dstv channel Mzansi Magic.
“We believe that his legacy will live through his artistic work that is now part of the heritage of this country. May his soul rest in peace,” Mthethwa said.
Gauteng Acting Arts and Culture MEC Nandi Mayathula-Khoza expressed sorrow at the news.
“In just over a week, three well-known personalities in sport and the arts have died. First it was Flabba Habedi, then Steve Kalamazoo Mokone and now Senyaka,” she said.
“We are indeed saddened by the passing of this versatile individual, a rapper, singer, actor, film producer, among others.
“One would not be far from accurate to regard him as the pioneer of rap music in the country. When rap music was regarded as an international genre of music Senyaka brought it into our living rooms with his hit Saturday-Sunday.”
She said Senyaka took the local film industry to another level with films including Moruti wa Tsotsi.
