Arts and Culture, Dr Z Pallo Jordan
23 October 2006
It is with deep regret and sadness that we have learnt of the sudden and
tragic death of a young, highly gifted and African artist, performer and
singer, Lebo Mathosa at a tender age of 29.
We offer our condolences to the Mathosa family, relatives and friends and
wish that the ancestral spirits grant them the serenity to accept that which no
man can change.
Lebo was born and lived to be "the chosen one" as the epitome of what has
come to be known as the "kwaito generation." A self-styled "Drama Queen", few
would dispute the fact that she was the outstanding vocal leader of her
generation having learnt and taken the mantle from her role model and
inspiration, the late Brenda Fassie.
She went on during a career that started in the hard jungle of Hillbrow as a
teenager, to play a pivotal role in the redefinition of the role and
responsibility of a young, gifted African artist.
Mathosa used her talent for live performance in singing, dancing and
dressing up to be an outward expression of that which stirs in the soul of her
people, male and female, black and white, young and old.
A fatal accident could end her mortal existence in a single terrible crash
but not all accidents of fate, history and destiny can affect her death.
In her own unique and inimitable way, she will continue to live among us, in
our spirit.
We will not have to search or mourn for her passion to join the unending
list of young, gifted and talented artists who die young to become part of the
other world of our ancestors.
We will continue to hear the echo of her voice in the song of artists who
fuse indigenous music, history, self-knowledge, and African aspirations in
their creative output.
We shall see and recognise her in the image of well-crafted African goddess
bodily forms that hold their heads high, walk with grace and reflect the
provocative beauty and powerful grace of our young women.
We shall remember her as part of our living souls and social vocabulary when
we rise to embrace, spread love through greeting when we say, "Thobela!"
We will always remember her as a highly gifted, young African "Drama Queen"
who used her life, talent and career to promote pride, respect and appreciation
for African music, dance, fashion, heritage, art and culture.
She was an African pop diva who refused to be bludgeoned to despair by her
bleak township background and upbringing but was determined to a symbol of
light and achievement through her personal resilience, hard work, determination
and focus.
We do believe that Lebo Mathosa's life is a significant example of a living
African spirit and life that shows a people who are seizing the opportunity to
take their rightful place in the world.
Thus there is not enough darkness in the world; not even death through a
fatal accident can blow out her memory and meaning as part of our tangible
heritage that has become intangible.
It is significant to note that Ms Mathosa, together with her colleagues in
Boom Shaka, rose to superstardom status at the dawn of our new freedom and
democracy around 1995.
Their creative courage was dipped deep into highly charged political
consciousness of post-apartheid youth who redefined the township by claiming
their birthright to live in Hillbrow which was assuming a new black African
identity.
In fact, when Mathosa embarked on a solo career, her musical style reflected
a choice that attempted to embrace global influences which were laden with
indigenous leavening.
Ms Mathosa was a significant example of a young African artist who was
embraced by the global winds of change, having been treated as a first among
equals among international counterparts who visited this country.
For us, her passing away is more hurtful because it happens in a year when
we celebrate not only the 30th Anniversary of 16 June but the strength, courage
and resilience of the youth which resulted in a turning point in our
history.
These are qualities that Ms Mathosa displayed and reflected in her short
life.
Also, this is the year we mark the 50th Anniversary of the Women's
'Anti-Pass' March to Pretoria.
At 29 years of age, Ms Mathosa was certainly emerging as a powerful woman
contributing to national identity, nurturing unity among all our people across
race and cultural self-determination.
Significantly, she was an example of an artist who used her talent not only
to bring pleasure and entertainment to fans and the nation, but revealed that
music is a tool for economic self-liberation and recreating links with the
Diaspora.
We hope that her life will remain an example of someone who was a role
model.
Indeed, she took control of her own individual life despite the background
she came from and thus revealed that our youngsters have the freedom to be what
they want to be in a democratic condition.
We will sadly miss her but do believe that has done the best she could in
her short life to make an indelible impression in the musical monuments of our
heritage and legacy.
May her soul rest in peace!
Enquiries:
Sandile Memela
Cell: 082 800 3750
Issued by: Department of Arts and Culture
23 October 2006
Source: SAPA
