The Office of the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation has extended its heartfelt condolences and support to the family of Simphiwe Sibisi affectionately known as General GTZ, on October 3.
General GTZ was known as a founding member of the iconic Kwaito group, Chiskop, formed in 1988.
The other founding members were Mandoza and Lollipop. The 49-year-old Kwaito icon died in the hospital on September 29, after undergoing major surgery. Speaking to Urban News, the spokesperson of the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Nomazwe Ntlokwana, said visiting the family was emotional.
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“I was touched because we know of the significant role that our musicians and artists play towards social cohesion in our country.
“We are here to convey the message of the MEC that the family is not the only one that has suffered loss. Gauteng as a province and the country is also mourning the loss,” she said.
Ntlokwana said that General GTZ was a role model to the young ones.
“We were hoping to work with him. We have programmes where we collaborate with the legends in the music as well as the sports fraternities. Ntlokwana mentioned plans to help artists become financially stable at all times.
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“I know we have launched projects aimed at empowering artists and members of creative industries to make sure that they are taken care of, ” said Ntlokwana.
She added they have started with capacity-building projects.
“We have been engaging and interacting directly with artists to look at ways of making artists self-sustainable beyond their days of fame.”
Ntlokwana has promised to help the family with the funeral preparations. Sibisi’s memorial service will be held on October 3 at 16:00 and the funeral will be held on October 5.
