Rest in peace Koyo Bala

The memorial service of the late member of South African pop group 3Sum, Koyo Bala was held on Tuesday in Newtown, Johannesburg. Friends, family and fans of the late musician and socialite attended the ceremony to celebrate and pay tribute to the social butterfly.

Last week, news broke out that the 37 year old lost his battle with anal cancer at Groote Schuur hospital in Cape Town. Bala had previously disclosed that he was HIV positive and was also fighting a battle with cancer.

Celebrity friends of Bala bid farewell to what they described as their ‘beautiful butterfly with a big heart’. Bala was a member of openly gay pop group 3Sum with Jeff Moyo and Amstel Maboa. The last surviving member of the group, Maboa said he has lost his other ‘wing’ and him and Bala had plans to continue with 3Sum’s legacy.

“I’ve lost a friend, I’ve lost another wing. When Jeff passed away, it was painful but Koyo was there and we consoled each other all the time. We had plans that we are still going to continue as 3Sum but unfortunately death is something else”, Maboa said.

Celebrities and public figures in attendance included EFF leader Julius Malema, deputy minister of Arts and culture Rejoice Mabudafhasi ,Idols judge Somizi Mhlongo and media personality, Lerato Kganyago.

Addressing negative comments about the cause of Bala’s death, Idols judge and long-time friend of the late musician Somizi Mhlongo said that Bala’s cause of death had nothing to do with his sexuality.

“It doesn’t matter how Koyo died. Koyo died from anal cancer and it has nothing to do with his sexuality. Anal cancer does not choose if you’re black, white, a man or a woman”, Mhlongo said.

Bala’s funeral will be held on Saturday, 19 March in Gugulethu, Cape Town.

– mbalim@citizen.co.za