The parents of late actor Mpho Sebeng said their goodbyes in a heart-wrenching letter that was read out during his funeral service at Rhema Bible Church in Randburg, Johannesburg, on Saturday, 11 May.
The 31-year-old Savage Beauty star passed away in a car accident in Potchefstroom, North West, on Sunday, 5 May.
LETTER FROM MPHO SEBENG’S PARENTS AT HIS FUNERAL
During Mpho’s funeral service, his sister – Lebohang Sebeng – read a letter written by their parents.
“Some things can only be experienced not described. The experience of giving birth to you my son Mpho qualifies as one of them. The joy of hearing your first heartbeat, the pain of hearing your first cry, the epitome of love when I first laid eyes on you. Mpho you lived up to your name.
“Mpho, you lived up to your name, mfanam. As the Bible says, blessed is the hand that giveth. Our life is a manifestation of the scripture as I witnessed the blessing you were to the many lives, here to celebrate you.
“My boy, we are proud of you. You made us proud. My boy, you lived dreams your ancestors couldn’t ever fathom. You touched lives.
“I did not expect to be burying you so soon. Please promise me, mfanam, that you will come visit us and tell us what happened. Lala kahle my boyza,” read the letter.
ACTRESS VELE MANENJE PAYS TRIBUTE
Actress and presenter Vele Manenje – who shared a screen with Mpho on Ring of Lies – opened up about their bond.
The radio presenter shared that Mpho was her brother, best friend and her daughter’s godfather.
“I am the adopted daughter of Nomsa Sebeng, Bra Joe. The adopted sister to Lebogang and the entire family. He became my brother from another mother,” Vele said.
She also revealed that she and the late actor met during the auditions of Queen Of Katwe.
“I danced and sang with my heart open and my soul open. I saw God in your eyes.
“I now trust because you trusted me with your life,” the actress said.
MORE ABOUT MPHO SEBENG
Mpho had been in the acting industry for almost 20 years. His first television debut was on Justice For All as well as Zero Tolerance, which later went to win multiple awards. He further got roles on Bay of Plenty, eTV’s Scandal and The Throne.
While in high school, he received his most prominent role on Winnie (the story about the life of the late Winnie Mandela), where he played Tsietsi and got to meet box office actors Jennifer Hudson and Terrence Howard.
Ring of Lies was the late actor’s first major lead role on prime-time television. His performance earned him a nomination at the 2018 South African Film & Television Awards for “Best Male Actor” in a telenovela.
Sebeng has also had acting roles on Netflix shows Collision, Savage Beauty and Miseducation. On Showmax he starred in films Tshepo and The Jakes Are Missing