BY STYLE REPORTER SOUTH AFRICAN award-winning gospel musician Deborah Fraser was laid to rest at Lala Kahle Cemetery in Hillcrest, KwaZulu-Natal yesterday.
The 56-year-old musician passed away last Sunday after a long battle with diabetes.
Yesterday morning artists, celebrities, family members, close friends and fans gathered in Hillcrest, KwaZulu-Natal to celebrate the life of the late gospel star before her body was ferried to her final resting place – Lala Kahle Cemetery later in the day. Like her memorial service on Thursday at the House of Treasures in Rispark, Johannesburg, yesterday those who were close to the Abanye Bayombona hit-maker also took to the stage to share stories about her life and revealed how the singer had been struggling with her health after being diagnosed with diabetes a few years ago.
During his speech on Thursday, celebrated musician and producer Chicco Twala slammed the government for not financially assisting artists during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He also revealed that Deborah had to find an alternative source of income and had no medical aid.
“I met Deborah at Southgate Mall last year and was pained to discover that she had been selling eggs from the boot of her car,” said Twala.
Keep Reading
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
“I never thought that somebody who has contributed so much to our industry could not get support from the government.”
Twala said it was shameful that the singer had died at a public hospital.
Gospel musician Rebecca Malope said she had known Fraser for almost four decades.
“I’m at a loss for words. We knew each other before we had kids; that’s a 40-year-long friendship,” Malope said.
“She has many friends and many more children. We only know of the two kids but she has more. Kids she helped to put through school. I once told her if only the media knew of the wonderful work you do. We tend to focus on the negative. No one is perfect; we all have both positive and negative characteristics. If we want a good life, let’s focus on the positive and tell that person while they are still alive.”
Fraser, who left behind two children had a career which spanned more than 30 years and worked with legendary artists such as Hugh Masekela, Jonas Gwangwa, Lucky Dube and Brenda Fassie, among others.
Her debut album Abanye Bayombona released in 2000, remains one of the most popular among her discography.