DURBAN - THE family of artist Nhlakanipho Gumede, who died in hospital after he was allegedly assaulted by Capitec Bank security guards in oThongathi in October, said it was painful to witness his success without him.
This comes as his group’s Gqom song Khula, featuring Bello no Gallo and Niseni, was nominated among the top 10 songs doing battle for the Song Of the Year title on Ukhozi FM.
The 29-year-old musician, known as “Sir Ronnius”, from eMagwazeni township, died of his injuries.
As previously reported, his brother Jan Gumede told the Daily News that Nhlakanipho had gone to the bank to deposit R1 000 for his mother in Zululand, only to learn the next day that only R500 was received. When he returned to the bank to enquire about it, the manager apparently called the security guards because he was allegedly “disrupting clients”.
His mother, Joice Ndlovu, said listening to his music was painful.
“It is still unbelievable. It hurts. I wish I had not needed that money. He would be alive today to celebrate his nomination. My son lived for music. We supported anything he wanted to do because he was not involved in any shady doings. I would use my last cent for him to go for his gigs.
“What hurts most is that this nomination comes at the exact time he had predicted his career’s breakthrough. He had complained to me that he was worried that all the songs he wrote for other people were doing well but not his. However, he was still hopeful and made plans to boost his music during the festive season.
“I am happy that his music and his group was nominated. I just wish he was here to witness it all. It is difficult for me to be fully excited on his behalf because this, it won’t bring him back.”
Gumede said Nhlakanipho’s death came almost two months before Mdeep Ali, a Mozambican artist, announced their surprise feature in his world tour.
He said it was sad to realise that his brother’s life was cut short when it would be booming from now on.
“I think he would be so happy to know this if he was here. When his crew called me about the nomination I couldn’t believe it. I only remembered a few seconds after that he was no longer here to share with me his proudest moments. I wish he was here but if the crew could bring this category home I would be very happy. I am pushing the votes for them on Facebook and WhatsApp,” said Gumede.
Provincial police spokesperson, Captain Nqobile Gwala, said a 40-year-old man was arrested for murder and he appeared in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. Police were still to confirm the outcome of the appearance.
DAILY NEWS