A cultural development school in memory of Monate Mpolaye hit-maker Oupa John “DJ Sumbody” Sefoka will be constructed, Gauteng government has promised.
Department of sport, arts, culture and recreation MEC Morakane Mosupyoe made this pledge at the memorial of the late musician at Lewende Woord Church in Centurion, outside Pretoria, on Wednesday.
The Pretoria Amapiano DJ died ahead of his annual All White Picnic at his Ayepyep Lifestyle Lounge in Pretoria, when unidentified gunmen rained bullets at his vehicle, killing him and severely wounding his bodyguards.
Mosupyoe explained that she and DJ Sumbody had a prior conversation in 2019 where the DJ expressed his sentiments around upskilling the youth in terms of music and art development.
“This young man was not supposed to die the way he did… this is so wrong on all levels. In my opinion, the law isn’t doing justice to this industry and more can be done by the government,” said Mosupyoe, who is on the Tshwane University of Technology board.
“I’ve never met DJ Sumbody in person but we used to speak over the phone on what sort of change can be made for the youth from ECD [Early Childhood Development] level. DJ Sumbody then told me how he can help the department using his influence to help young people. He was willing to serve us without getting paid…” she added.
A sea of mourners included his grieving family, friends and contemporaries in the music industry thronged to the memorial service.
His close friend and music collaborator, rapper Cassper Nyovest, broke into tears while sharing warm memories of the performer.
“I am very grateful to have had a friend like DJ Sumbody. He was very honest and straight to the point. This is such a difficult time for me because somehow DJ Sumbody always had a solution for any and every problem,” the rapper shared between sniffles.