The nation has been struck by the loss of prominent figures within an already volatile industry that has been the hardest hit by the impact of COVID-19. This has been a very difficult week for the arts and culture sector, as well as the country at large. In the last few days, we have learned of the passing of practitioners such as Thoko Ndlozi, Wandi Nzimande, Knowledge Simelane, Welcome “Bhodloza” Nzimande, Kabelo “KB “ Molopyane and Dr Sam Phillips.

1. MinisterNathi Mthethwaextendshisdeepestsympathieson the Loss of Iconic Figureswithinthe
Arts and Culture Sector
17 January2021
The nationhas beenstruckby the lossof prominentfigureswithinanalreadyvolatileindustrythat
has beenthe hardesthitbythe impact of COVID-19.Thishas beena verydifficultweekforthe arts
and culture sector,aswell asthe countryat large.In the lastfew days,we have learnedof the
passingof practitionerssuchasThoko Ndlozi,Wandi Nzimande,Knowledge Simelane,Welcome
“Bhodloza”Nzimande,Kabelo“KB“Molopyane andDr SamPhillips.
Dr Sam Phillipswasaninternationallyacclaimedandaward-winningscreenactor,writer,music
composeranddirector.Hisincredible leadperformanceinthe filmSenzeniNa?earnedhimanOscar
nomination in1990; and he was a LivingLegendof the Departmentof Sport,Artsand Culture.
Reminiscingabouthisnumerousachievements,MinisterNathi Mthethwafondlyrecalls,“DrPhillips
seta benchmarkof true excellence.He wasa humble practitionerwhose workethicspoke volumes
of hiscommitmenttohiscraft.In his40year career,he playedakeyrole indriving transformation
withinthe actingspace. He wasan icon withmanyachievementsandtitlesbuttohisfamily,who
are inour thoughtstoday,he was a lovingfather,grandfather,husbandandfriend.”
The nationhas alsobeenplungedintomourningbythe loss of the talentedsongstressMsThoko
Ndlozi,whowasthe onlysurvivingmemberof the femalevocal groupJoy,thatmade historywith
theirchart-toppinghitParadise Road.
Speakingof whatherlossmeansfor the nation,MinisterNathi Mthethwasaid,“ToSouthAfricans,
Ms ThokoNdlozi’smusicbroughthope.Itisthishope,whichshe expressedwhenshe describedhow
the song Joywas recordedtoexpressthe struggle andapartheideradynamics. We have indeed
beenleftbereftbyMsNldozi’spassing.”
The nationhas beenplungedintofurthermourningwiththe passingof Mr Knowledge Simelane who
committedfourdecadestoa craft he was extremelypassionate about,travellinglongdistances
across KZN in searchfor rivetingstoriesforhisreaders.The passingof aman dedicatedtothe
preservationof indigenouslanguages,hasleftavoidinthe newspaper-publishingworld.
Mr. Simelane wasaninstitutionof knowledge - awalkinglibrarydue tohisin-depthknowledge of
the newspaperindustry.AsanArtswriterat Ilanganewspaper,he contributedimmenselytothe
promotionof SouthAfrica’sartslandscape.Evenmore endearingwashismentorshipof young
journalists.
MinisterMthethwasaid,“Asa custodianof the preservationof indigenouslanguages,MrSimelane’s
passingcomesas an immeasurable losstoourcountry.He waswell knownforhiscommitmentto
promotingthe isiZululanguageandensuringthatitcontinuestoresonate withthe youthof today.
SouthAfricahas lostan ambassadorof cultural and heritage preservation.”
It iswithheavyheartsthat the nationisalsomourningthe passingof veteranbroadcasterMr.
Welcome “Bhodloza”Nzimande.Hislove forMaskandi musicbroughtmanySouthAfrican
indigenousmusicianstothe light.
Witha sterlingcareerinbroadcasting,Mr.Nzimande joinedUkhozi FMin1978 and steadilyclimbed
the ranks,providingselflessleadership.Formany,radiowasnotcomplete withoutMr.Nzimande;
and hispassingisa massive losstothe industryat large.

2. Articulatingthe important contributionMr.Nzimande made toourarts landscape,Minister
Mthethwasaid,“Mr. Nzimande’sinvestmentinthe preservationof the heritageof ourindigenous
musicisthe bestgiftthat he bestoweduponournation.He andProf JosephShabalalaof Ladysmi th
Black Mambazo,establishedaplatformforthisin1987, takingisicathamiyamusictothe world
stage.”
As we continue tomourn,the Departmentof Sport,Artsand Culture equallysharesthe painof
losinganothertalentednarratorof ourAfricanidentity andcuratorof formidable brands - Mr.
Mzwandile Wandi Nzimande,orDJ1D,as he became popularlyknown.
Co-Founderof the SouthAfricanstreetwearlabel LoxionKulca,Mr.Wandi Nzimande gave usa
blueprintof Mzansi streetwear,whilstgivinghope tothe dreamsof manyyoungSouthAfricans.
Speakingof the impactof hislossto the nation,MinisterNathi Mthethwasaid“Wandi’sloveforthe
industrywill continue tosethimapart forgenerationstocome. Hiszeal for wantingtomake a
difference byopeningdoorsforyoungtalent,bearstestimonytohisinvestmentinseeingmany
participantscontribute tothe growthof our culture.Many establishedSouthAfricanbrandsof today
have himto thank”.
Furthermore,the nationmournsthe passingof renownedBroadcaster,MrKabelo“KB”Molopyane,
whose illustriouscareerdatesbackto1996 and became mostprominentwhenhe joined
MotswedingFM.His meaningfulcontributiontothe artswill continue toimpactmanypersonally
and professionally.
The Departmentof Sport,Arts and Culture offersitsheartfeltcondolencestothe families,
colleagues,friendsandthe industryatlarge.