You could hear Kwaito music blasting a metre away from Eyethu Heritage Hall in Mofolo Soweto and cheers from mourners who screamed and danced to the music of fallen Kwaito legend, Mamaputsi. Paps, as some of his peers called him, was described as a legend, a unique voice, but also a humble dreamer. Family, friends, and colleagues gathered to share only good and happy memories of their time with the late Sandile Ngwenya, well know as Mapaputsi.

THE FIRST

Mapaputsi died on 5 September after being ill since October 2023, going in and out of hospital. Ghetto Ruff (Muthaland) founder Lance Stehr recalled the Izinja rapper had a magnetic character and captivating voice. He remembered Mapaputsi's fearlessness and being the first artist in South Africa to shoot a gravity-free video where he floated while rapping. "After he floated, he obviously vomited like everyone else because there was no way he was going to shoot that long without feeling ill," Lance said, adding that he hoped one day South Africans could discover a rapper of his calibre.

AN INSPIRATION

Coming from Soweto, actor Mahlatse Mafatse opened his speech with the song Izinja reminding the guests of the greats that came from Mapaputsi's township of Zola. "Mandoza, Zola, Brickz, Mapaputsi,' he said. "Mapaputsi was an inspiration to all of us. He gave us so much courage. He took us from the dust and put us at award ceremonies.'

WITH LOVE

Ayolla Ngwenya, Mapaputsi's current wife at the time of his passing, said she will miss his voice and his affectionate nature. "I miss him already. I will always miss him. I know I'm too young to be in this position; I pray that God gives me strength and power to carry on," she said. Ayolla promised to never leave his children and his parents. "I would like to thank the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture for the amazing work they do for SA artists. Thank you to Samro for supporting artists at all times; your presence means a lot," Ayolla added. She thanked the community of Zola for their support. "These are people who were always there for him through difficult times."

POLITICAL

Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Peace Mabe, paid tribute to the Kwaito legend and as a department, pledged their support to the family. Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and Trompies group member Eugene Mthethwa lambasted the South African government for only showing support to artists when they are gone. "Why is it that we are only celebrated when we are dead?' he asked. "How many people actually visited him when he was sick and checked up on him to see if he was ok? But when artists die, they get front-row seats," he added. "When a person in the army or the police dies, it's the colleagues and people who lived with the fallen soldier who get front-row seats. With us, Kwaito artists and people in the arts, we get the back seat and the government shines. It was the same with Mandoza and other Kwaito artists. The government only supports the dead," Eugene lambasted the government. Mapaputsi will be laid to rest at Heroes Acre at Westpark Cemetery on Saturday.