He was loved by many for his generosity, kindness, and for opening doors for Durban artists and creatives. Yesterday, Eyadini owner Jabulani "Mjay" Thamsanqa Zama, also fondly known as Jigga Money, was laid to rest at Queensburgh Cemetery in Durban. Mourners spent a few hours honouring his life at The Station Urban Venue in Durban before ushering him to his final resting place. Jabulani died after months of being ill, and his family announced that he had been hit by a stroke.

GOODBYE

Mourners were wearing their Sunday best to pay respect to the businessman. The room was filled with white flowers and candles and attended by the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa, artists Big Nuz, Zakes Bantwini, and DJ Happygal, who sat alongside the family. His casket was wheeled into the venue in a black cart as the choir sang and images from his time on earth were shared in slides. Speaking as a friend Lizwi Maphumulo says Jabulani was friendly with many people. "He was a friend but also like a brother to me. He was an honest and good man. Very helpful and did not like conflict. He loved seeing everyone happy." Lizwi recalled Jabuani’s early days as a businessman. "He started working as a police officer and then moved to the breakdown business. He later joined the taxi business but did not last because of the conflict, and he was a man of peace. He then joined the construction business where he was very successful, and that led to him opening the now infamous, Eyadini," he says. "When he opened Eyadini, we were not sure what it was about, whether it was a scrap yard or not because people would chill there. Then he built what he said were offices. Those later turned into an entertainment venue." 

FAMILY

Zanele Khuzwayo, who is Jabulani’s aunt said he provided for his family. "We know of his work and today is about celebrating the great work he did in our society and at home." Zanele said Jabulani was a cheerful giver, he took care of his family and community. "He never undermined anyone. He worked hard. When Jabulani fell ill. He spent his last days Eyadini. He fell ill at Eyadini and was taken to the hospital. I hope he got enough time to connect with the Lord. When he fell ill, some of his friends supported him although his monetary gauge had declined." Without disclosing too much information, Ntuthuko Hosiyane accused the ANC of doing Jabulai dirty. "ANC, what you did to my brother in 2017 was hurtful," he said. "We urge that you fix what you did. Our brother is here now because of this."

A DISAPPOINTED FAMILY

Jabulani’s sister Mbali Madikane expressed her family’s disappointment at how most of his friends were not there in his time of need and while he was sick and his business almost failing. "I’d like to first thank Mshiyeni Hospital. My brother last week started getting sick and vomiting Eyadini. We took him to Mshiyeni. The doctors and nurses were very helpful and attended to him quickly," she said. "They were at his bedside the whole night. That afternoon, they gave him their senior doctor. I saw my brother get sick. I stayed with him. One time, he was meant to go for dialysis, but he still came with me to my meetings. While driving with him, his heart was sore as his phone was silent.He reminded me how in his glory days, his phone would ring off the hook. ‘I can call people now and no one will answer’ he told me. I will never stop talking about it because Jabulani helped everyone. Some people came to Eyadini with nothing and he helped build them," Mbali adds. "During his last days, he was alone. Some friends were close to him on his last day and would pick up his calls but not many. We must now accept that he was a people person. People now want to help, but, why did they not do that while he was still alive." Mbali further said,"People failed my brother. They can say what they want but 90 percent of you never helped him when he was ill. What made us more upset is that people declared him dead on social media, even before the family announced. Who gave you that right?" An angry Mbali advised people to be more considerate and sensitive.