Friends, family and colleagues gathered at the Akasia Hall today to pay their last respects to the late gospel star Solly Moholo. Moholo, real name Solomon Molokoane, passed away last week Wednesday at the age of 65.
[WATCH] Legendary gospel singer Solly Moholo's dancers carry his coffin while dancing to his hit song 'Mphelegetse'. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/8xQiAf4PLt
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) October 12, 2024
A LOVING FATHER AND HUSBAND
Moholo passed away after he spent a month in the hospital. He fell ill in August while on tour to promote his latest album in neighbouring Botswana. He was described as a loving husband and father who cared for his family and people who were close to him. His son-in-law, Lesego Nkitseng, paid an emotional tribute to the musician, saying he loved him dearly and he was always there for him and his family. "You were a remarkable man, dependable, loving, and caring. You were the centre of my world, one in a million to me. You made me laugh and smile; not only were you my companion but a wonderful husband from the beginning to the end," Nkitseng said. Moholo's daughter, Lebo, said she was heartbroken about the passing of her father. "My father, on his last days, asked me to write my speech in English because he took me to school. Thank you daddy, for taking me to school. Every meal you bought and for every mistake you have accepted. It's heartbreaking that my father passed away a day after my birthday," Lebo said.
HE WAS MORE THAN A GOSPEL ARTIST
In a heartfelt tribute, poet Mzwakhe Mbuli said Moholo was a man whose fight against the apartheid regime was palpable. "He was a South African man who fought against apartheid, and he never kept quiet against injustices. When the whites asked him what he was doing, he said he was doing the will of God," he said. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said Solly Moholo was more than a gospel artist, he was an activist for social justice. He was a man who fought for issues concerning women and children. He was an educationalist. We are proud that we requested the honourable president Cyril Ramaphosa to honour this giant by declaring his funeral a provincial official funeral," Lesufi said. Soly Moholo was laid to rest at the Zandfontein Cemetery in Tshwane.
