Limpopo-born gospel singer Winnie Mashaba was reportedly banned from Solly Moholo’s funeral on Saturday, 12 October after facing criticism on social media for attending his memorial service in a helicopter.
Solomon Molokoane known as Solly Moholo passed away on Wednesday, 2 October at 65 years.
WINNIE MASHABA BLOCKED?
Sunday World reports that Winnie Mashaba was humiliated by a group of people who tried to block her from attending Solly Moholo’s funeral last week.
This comes after she took to X on Friday, 4 October to share photos and videos of herself visiting Moholo’s home in a private plane.
An artist who does not want to be identified tells the publication that Mashaba was allegedly banned by members of the Association for the Entertainers of SA (Aesa). The organisation claimed that Moholo’s family instructed them to tell her that she was not welcomed at the funeral.
“Apparently the view was that Winnie was showing off by coming to the memorial service in an aircraft and might have used a lot of money to hire it when she failed to pay Moholo’s medical bill, which was running close to a million rand.”
The unidentified artist adds that Mashaba was not flaunting. She had several commitments that day and the only way she could honour them was to charter an aircraft to the service.
Aesa chief executive officer, Hepter Mailula reportedly fetched Mashaba and allowed her to pay her last respect to the Mkhukhu icon.
Moholo’s daughter, Louisa declined to comment, while Mailula said he knew nothing about the incident.
“Yes, I fetched her from where she was and gave her a seat. But I know nothing about her being prevented from attending the funeral,” says Mailula.
Mphoza Mashabela, the chairperson of the Limpopo Artists Movement, confirmed they are aware of Mashaba’s mistreatment.
Mashabela adds that the organisation doesn’t want to “come between Moholo’s family and Dr Winnie Mashaba” but Aesa members disrespected the singer.
The South African reached out to Winnie Mashaba for a comment on Sunday, 20 October.