Memorial services for Ma Eli & Maviri to be held in Joburg and Bulawayo

TWO memorial services will be held for the late Insimbi ZeZhwane duo of Elvis “Ma Eli” Mathe and Thembinkosi “Maviri” Mpofu in South Africa and Bulawayo on Wednesday and Friday respectively.

In a statement, Underground Entertainment which promoted the band in the neighbouring country said the South African memorial service will be held at the Hillbrow Theatre while the Bulawayo one will be held at the Amphitheatre.

“Underground Entertainment and Insimbi ZeZhwane music band together with the central organising committee jointly informs you of the funeral arrangements of the two late band members. The arrangements are as follows: There will be a memorial service in Johannesburg at Underground Hillbrow Theatre on Wednesday at 4PM and a brief service for Elvis Mathe at Bulawayo’s Amphitheatre on Friday.

“He will be laid to rest in Tsholotsho on Saturday at Magabelana Village,” said the music promotions company.

The statement said deliberations are still being carried out on where Maviri will be buried with a possibility that he may be buried in Lupane.

The statement hailed the pouring support from various stakeholders to give the two a befitting send-off.

“We would like to thank and acknowledge Kingdom Blue Funeral Service in advance for the role they are playing in offering full free burial and logistics of our fallen heroes. We also acknowledge the assistance from the public and fellow artistes for the contribution they have made.”

Matabeleland North Minister for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Richard Moyo said they have since sent a request for the two artistes to be declared provincial heroes.