A bitter family fight has broken out between the family of the late actor Seputla Sebogodi and his new wife, ANC heavyweight Machwene Rosina Semenya, over where he should be buried.
Africa Daily can exclusively reveal that the veteran television thespian’s siblings want him to be buried in Ga-Mothapo village outside Polokwane, where his ancestors were laid to rest, while Semenya, who is the former Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, allegedly wants him to be buried at Silicon Cemetery in the city.
Sebogodi and Semenya allegedly tied the knot about six months ago.
News of the tug-of-war between the two families burst into the public domain after Semenya allegedly released a poster revealing the dates and venues of the former Bophelo Ke Seshogo actor’s memorial services and funeral.
According to the poster, Sebogodi’s first memorial service will be held at the South African State Theatre in Pretoria on Thursday, 23 July 2026, while his second one will be held at Jack Botes Hall on Friday, 24 July 2026.
His funeral service, according to the poster, will be held at Jack Botes Hall in Polokwane on Saturday, 25 July 2026.
A neighbour, who did not want to be named for fear of reprisals, alleged that Sebogodi’s siblings want the former Generations actor’s memorial service and funeral service to be held in Ga-Mothapo village.
“His siblings are very disappointed with the decision to bury him there and if this matter is not properly resolved, it will end in court. You are likely to see those scenes in the Muvhango drama repeating themselves in real life in this case,” said the neighbour.
The neighbour also alleged that tension started last week when Sebogodi’s siblings and relatives from Ga-Mothapo phoned Semenya and asked to meet her so that they could work together to prepare the funeral of the actor. Before they left, they asked Semenya to send them a location, but she did not. It is alleged that she later told them to rather meet her at Cycad Shopping Centre in Polokwane instead of coming to her house. It is alleged that during that meeting, she told them it was her right to decide where Sebogodi should be buried and sent them packing.
Speaking to Africa Daily, Sebogodi’s sister, Marry Kau, said she was very disappointed with Semenya’s decision to bury him at Silicon Cemetery.
“Seputla is my brother. I’m his sister. I want him to be buried here in Ga-Mothapo and not in Silicon. I will not have a problem if they bury in Atteridgeville. But burying him in Silicon, no, that will not happen,” she said.
Kau said Sebogodi should be buried next to his ancestors.
“That’s where his family members are buried. Those who say his memorial services should be at Jack Botes Hall and he should be laid to rest in Silicon, I don’t know them,” she said angrily.
Sebogodi died last week at a public hospital in Mokopane after losing a battle to diabetes. He was 63.
Attempts to solicit a comment from Semenya drew a blank.
A woman who answered her cellphone said Semenya was in a meeting and would return our call when she was done. However, she had not done so by the time of publication.
