Another dramatic incident unfolded at the funeral of late television actor Seputla Sebogodi after the family of his widow allegedly chased away an artist who had arrived to deliver a portrait he painted in honour of the thespian.
Thipa Semenya Matuba, a relative of Sebogodi’s widow, Machwene Semenya, allegedly ordered the trial-blazing limner Thapelo Mabula out of the Jack Botes Hall in Polokwane, where the funeral service was held on Saturday, 25 July, while he was standing at the entrance displaying the portrait.
News that Mabula had allegedly been kicked to the curb was shared with Africa Daily by an eyewitness who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals.
“He was chased away like a dog. It was not a good sight. What happened to ubuntu?” the witness said.
Speaking to Africa Daily, Mabula said he painted the portrait after learning of the death of the revered actor, who died from complications related to diabetes.
He said that because he did not have the contact details of any of Sebogodi’s next of kin, he decided to attend the funeral service to hand the portrait to the actor’s widow and children.
He said he wanted to do so as a token of appreciation for Sebogodi’s immense contribution to the creative industry, the economy and the development of talent in the television industry.
Mabula said that upon arriving at the funeral, he approached the programme director and requested an opportunity to present the portrait to the family.
“That’s the protocol we observe as artists every time we attend funerals to honour our fallen heroes and heroines,” he said.
According to Mabula, the programme director acceded to his request and told him he would be given an opportunity to present the portrait after Sebogodi’s friends had paid their last respects on stage.
“He told me that after the friends had left the stage, he would invite me to the podium to hand it over,” he said.
Mabula said that as the friends of the theatre doyen were paying tribute on stage, he sedately sauntered closer, preparing himself to go onto the podium.
However, he said he was never called.
Feeling humiliated, embarrassed and heartbroken, Mabula said he returned to his seat and took a pew.
He said that while he was seated, one of the videographers, who had admired the portrait, approached him and asked if he could stand up and hold it high so it could be captured in a wide shot of mourners seated at the back of the hall.
Mabula said he obliged.
He alleged that while he was holding the portrait, Matuba confronted him and accused him of disrupting the funeral proceedings.
He further alleged that she then ordered him to leave the hall.
Mabula, who hails from Marumofase village near Lenyenye outside Tzaneen, said the incident left him deeply hurt and with a lump in his throat.
“I have known Seputla for many years. We met at theatres and other events because we are both artists. When he passed away, I felt the only way I could honour him was by painting this portrait. Unfortunately, I was not given the opportunity to honour him,” he said.
Mabula said Sebogodi’s siblings from Ga-Mothapo noticed him standing outside the hall after he had allegedly been removed.
“After the funeral, I handed the portrait to them and left,” he said.
Matuba declined to comment and referred Africa Daily to family spokesperson Lesiba Mothoa.
Mothoa questioned whether Mabula had followed the proper process before attempting to present the portrait.
“What protocol? Who established that protocol?” Mothoa asked.
He said Mabula should have arranged with the widow before arriving at the funeral to present the family with the portrait.
“Why didn’t he come to the house before the funeral or after the funeral? If he wanted to be part of the programme without making prior arrangements, then that would have disrupted the programme,” he said.
Mothoa also accused Mabula of being disrespectful by unveiling the portrait before the widow had seen it and posing for photographs with other artists outside the hall.
“He was taking pictures with other artists before unveiling it to the widow. It is also not true that he was kicked out of the hall. There was no reason to remove him. In fact, the portrait is now at the widow’s home. If he wants to meet the widow and hand the portrait over properly, he is welcome to do so because we appreciate the effort he made to honour our brother,” he said.
