admin Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
Iyasa’s late founding member Emmanuel “Manu” Dlamini will be buried today at his family’s homestead in Mhondoro under chief Chinengundu in Mashonaland West province.
Dlamini, 35, collapsed and died in Johannesburg, South Africa on Sunday.
According to Iyasa director Nkululeko Dube, postmortem report stated that cause of death could not be ascertained hence further investigations.
He said Iyasa members would travel to Mhondoro to bury their fellow artiste.
“A contingent of 12 artistes will travel to his home area this evening. We heard that they’ve crossed the border. It’s very sad to bury one of your own on a day we’re supposed to be celebrating life with friends and family,” said Dube.
He said Dlamini’s family members that are accompanying the body left Johannesburg on Wednesday night.
“We had asked them to pass through Bulawayo so that some of artistes could bid farewell to Manue but they can’t due to time constraints. They’ll now proceed straight to Mhondoro for burial on Christmas Day,” said Dube.
He said Dlamini will be sadly missed by the arts sector as he was a rare type of artiste.
“He was a person who believed that the group was a family,” said Dube.
Dlamini together with Sandra Ndebele, Noma Mkhwananzi, Futurelove Sibanda and Sibonisiwe Sithole worked hard to build the brand Iyasa is today.
The late Dlamini, who was an actor and dancer, was appointed manager of Iyasa in 2007 and was heavily involved in Iyasa productions such as Americano Africano and China K that were a hit in Austria.
His stage antics won the group numerous National Art Merit Awards.
Dlamini left Iyasa in 2008 and relocated to South Africa in search of greener pastures.
He is survived by wife, Loveness and two children.
Online Reporter