AIRCO would like to offer deepest condolences to the family and extended family of Mojeremane on the tragic loss of a great man and South African music icon.

 

The memorial service took place at the Mabopane Indoor Centre on Thursday 14 February 2008, and the funeral will be taking place on Sunday 17 February 2008 at the Dr. Mgaka Maseko High School in Lebanon, near Mabopane.

 

With kind permission, we re-print here AIRCO Broadcast Committe Chair Ken Haycock's Tribute to Mojeremane, delivered at the Memorial Service.

 

MOJEREMANE

25 October 1950 – 04 February 2008

MEMORIAL TRIBUTE

On behalf of the staff, producers and artists of Cool Spot, I’d like to extend our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to Mojeremane’s wife Llanky Medupe, brother Jonas Xale and members of Mojeremane’s extended family on the tragic death and sad loss of a great colleague and friend.

We received the news of Mojeremane’s passing last week with shock and sadness; he will certainly be missed by the team at Cool Spot.

We’re also here today to celebrate MOJEREMANE’s life and, to this end, I’d like to read a short history on his inspiring musical journey and recording career.
 
BACKGROUND

Sipho Lucas Xale was born on the 25th October 1950 at Hennops River. He was brought up in a devout ZCC family and was the third born of five children of the late Mr. Petrus and Mrs. Rebecca Xale.

MOJEREMANE started singing when he was just eight years old and his God given talent was inherited from his father who had held a high position in the ZCC priesthood, and who was also a Mokhukhu choir conductor and leader.

In 1961 the Xale family left Hennops River and settled in Atteridgeville, and MOJEREMANE became a member of the Atteridgeville Mokhukhu. In 1964, when his family moved to Ga-Rankuwa, he became a member of the Ga-Rankuwa Mokhukhu and in 1967, when the Xale family moved once again, this time to Mabopane, he also became a member of the Mabopane Mokhukhu, and was duly elected to the very prestigious position of conductor.

During his residency as chief churas of the Mabopane Mokhukhu, MOJEREMANE composed and performed a song which became an anthem for Mokhukhu and for ZCC gospel fans alike. The song, entitled “Sekepe Sa Majeremane” earned him respect amongst the ZCC community, who affectionately nicknamed him MOJEREMANE after his song.

In 1979 MOJEREMANE moved from Mabopane to Winterveld and retained his position as conductor. That’s where he adopted and popularized a new “method” of Mokhukhu which had been introduced in Thembisa by churas leader Kenneth Mafema of the legendary Tembisa Rock Messengers. This style is still practiced today by many Mokhukhus.

It has been said that by popularizing the Mokhukhu style of singing and dancing, MOJEREMANE had helped a lot of young men to become baptized and find salvation within the ZCC.

In 1981 MOJEREMANE decided to form his own group - The Music Makers. However this initiative was short lived as the church asked MOJEREMANE to return to leading its official choir and The Music Makers was disbanded. This was the first time that MOJEREMANE met Sello "Chicco" Twala, and together recorded five church projects.

RECORDING CAREER

In 1994 he decided to leave the church projects in search of a recording career for himself, and in 1995 established his own group again and recorded his debut album with COOL SPOT. The album, which was entitled "NKABO KE NA LE TUMELO", was produced by Solly "Moholo" Molokoane and released in early 1996.

Since then MOJEREMANE went on to record many albums and popular songs including "GODIMO GA THABA", "HA BA FIHLA", "SETLHOYANENG" to name a few.

He also formed a group called The MOJEREMANE All Stars, and recorded albums incorporating instrumental backings. He teamed up with NKOSANA and OLESENG to record albums as THE ROCK, and more recently recorded another Mokhukhu project with NKOSANA called WACHA MOKHUKHU.

MOJEREMANE attended a producing course at the South African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) and he was awarded a diploma. In later years, he went on to produce other artists including Sinky Mathe, The Rock, Nkosana Stocks & Stocks to name a few.

FINAL TRIBUTE
 
MOJEREMANE lived for his music and through his passion for and commitment to Mokhukhu he improved himself and those around him. He had a deep respect for ZCC protocol and custom and in the few years that I’ve known MOJEREMANE I came to admire him for his gentle ways and balanced sense of fairness. He was always a cheerful and caring person who loved his music and I’m sure his recordings will be remembered for many years to come.

I would like to take this opportunity in mentioning new recordings that MOJEREMANE completed the Saturday prior to his tragic death. MOJEREMANE’s studio engineer for many years, Brother Vusi Nkosi, says “it’s wonderful and MOJEREMANE’s most powerful recording ever”. So I appeal to everyone who loved MOJEREMANE to please support his family and buy the album when it’s released in April. 

In conclusion, I’d like to thank members of the ZCC, the media, fellow musicians and colleagues and friends of MOJEREMANE, who have lovingly made the journey here today to give their support and pay their respects to MOJEREMANE’s family and to say goodbye to a dear friend. I’d especially like to thank Paul Mabilo, Lebelo Mbalekwa and Solly Moholo for assisting the family with today’s memorial service and Sunday’s funeral arrangements.  

To Llanky, family and close friends, we’d like to say that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this painful time; may God grant you His grace and inner strength to light your way through this painful period of darkness.

In fond memory of Mojeremane we say ‘Lala ngoxolo mfowethu sizohlala sikukhubula ngasosonke isikhathi’.

Ken Haycock
14 February 2008