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 He died penniless, even though his band has had 11 successful CD's 

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South African gospel music icons Rebecca Malope, Deborah Fraser, Abanqobi Gospel Group, Sipho Makhabane, Hlengiwe Mhlaba paid their respects at the burial of one of the members of the platinum selling gospel group Avante, Siphiwe Khanyile. Hundreds of fans also turned up.

He was laid to rest at his home in KwaMashu just outside Durban.

Khanyile, 38, died at King Edward VIII hospital, Durban, after a short illness early this month.

He together with Bongani Ngcobo, Linda Gcwensa, James Langa and Lucky Cele turned Avante into one of the country’s most beloved gospel groups.

However, he died penniless and was buried by the Creative Workers Union of South Africa (CWUSA).

The union’s KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson, Kwaito hitmaker T’zozo, said the union, through sponsorship, funded Khanyile’s entire burial.

“We got the funeral services to provide their services for free, we also managed to get the catering services for free,” he said.

Khanyile, who  was not married, leaves behind one child, 11 brothers and one sister.

• This is not the first time the group has been devastated by tragedy.

Another member Bongani Ngcobo died in 2004 and James Langa was attacked and shot in the thigh by thugs at KwaMashu station late last year.

Langa made a fervent effort yesterday to pay tribute to his fellow band member when he took to the stage on crutches.  

• Speaking at Khanyile’s funeral, the KZN chairperson of the Gospel Music Association of South Africa, Musi Malinga said plans were under way to buck the trend of “artists dying paupers”. 

Despite the group’s fame after having successfully sold 11 CD’s,  Khanyile died without a burial policy.

“We want to stop this. We are running workshops for artists that will teach them financial management, tender procurement training and life skills training to prevent situations where artists die without a cent,” said Malinga.

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Sun May 26 10:34:06 SAST 2013 ::

Feb 14, 2011

khanza

Re tlwaetse, all celebrities die penniless.
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Feb 14, 2011

Shwashwilol

Celebrities di ya lapisa, nxaaaaaaaaaaaa..........
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Feb 14, 2011

Torso

Learn how to manage your finances. Know what comes in and goes out. Labels will forever take advantage of our artists, but its their responsibility to ensure that that doesnt happen. Dont sign shit cos an advance is blinding you. Get a lawyer to read that contract. Stop making it easy for labels to screw you with no vaseline.
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Feb 14, 2011

ApelMankotsana

E le gore why CWUSA and others do not make it compulsory for artists to contribute to a particular fund and have a compulsory life covers so that we do not hear of them dying pennisless......Be that as it may, let his soul rest in peace.
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Feb 14, 2011

Mthondosheshayo

We can talk the way we want but its hard for musicians,the music industry is not fair to them.
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Feb 14, 2011

culs

@ Torso screw you without vaseline, what a comment. hahahaha.
honestly guys, i work had for my money, and if i were to die no one would volunteer to burry me for mahala, so why are we subjected to emotional blackmail when a famous person dies? these people should learn to manage their finances.
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Feb 14, 2011

monatefela

how is dat possible ?wat a shame
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Feb 14, 2011

PsNext

What are this guys doing with their money bathong?
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Feb 14, 2011

samsung

I was cursed & suffered a major illness : luckily now im fine thanx to the grace of GOD!
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back to the issue Monkey's never listen : i have said it before :what kill them is show off!
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Feb 14, 2011

CheeseBoy

Another victim and sad story of ignorance on the part of musicians.

A lot of our so called celebs are nothing more than pretty dumb individuals who are taken for a ride simply because they want fame, not fortune.

The music industry is a cut throat industry and people like Brenda Fassie are always victimized by Record Label sharks who milk them to the fullest.

A lot of the musicians achieve the fame and never see a cent of the fortune. sad indeed
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