The funeral of kwaito legend Sandile “Mapaputsi” Ngwenya, famous for his iconic tracks Woza Friday and Izinja, was marred by family drama and disputes over his burial arrangements.
Story Summary:
- Kwaito star Mapaputsi, born Sandile Ngwenya, was laid to rest at West Park’s Heroes Acre in Johannesburg.
- His funeral was overshadowed by disputes regarding his body and internal family tensions.
- Emotional tributes were given by both his estranged and current wives.
Drama unfolds at Mapaputsi funeral
Held at West Park’s Heroes Acre, the proceedings took a tense turn after allegations surfaced about a family friend withholding his body and demanding payment before it could be released.
The family claimed they were pressured into using an unauthorised funeral service provider.
One family member revealed:
“We were bullied into using a service we hadn’t chosen. When we refused, they wouldn’t release his body unless we paid R50,000.”
Adding to the tension was the arrival of Mapaputsi’s estranged wife, Nitty Nhlapo, who had reportedly not been in contact with him for two years.
Her sudden reappearance caused a divide within the family, as some members supported her involvement while others were left questioning her intentions.
A source close to the situation said:
“It felt like there were people trying to profit off the situation and manipulate the family during their time of mourning.”
The chaos even led to a last-minute change in funeral service providers when the family discovered that Mapaputsi had his own funeral cover.
The family stated they wanted to honour his final wishes by using the cover he had arranged.
Reactions to Mapaputsi’s passing
Throughout the ceremony, tributes poured in from industry colleagues and friends. His estranged wife, Nitty Nhlapo, expressed her heartache:
“I never imagined I’d be raising our children alone. It’s been a tough week for us all, and I hope Sandile’s friends will step in to help raise our children.”
Mapaputsi’s current wife, Dieketseng Ayola, took the stage to remind everyone that she was the late musician’s “one and only wife.”
In an emotional tribute, she vowed to ensure his legacy lived on, saying, “Our love will not be conquered by problems or death.”
Several notable figures from the entertainment industry, including DJ Sbu and actor Israel Matseke Zulu, also shared touching memories of the late star.
DJ Sbu expressed his sadness over not being able to visit Mapaputsi when he was ill, adding:
“My heart was broken when I learned of his passing. We need to take care of one another in these trying times.”
Mapaputsi was laid to rest at Heroes Acre among other legends, leaving behind a musical legacy that will forever be remembered.
