Emmanuel Mamphogoro laid to rest

The mayor of Makhado Local Municipality, Samuel Munyai, described the late gospel artist, Mr Emmanuel Azwihangwisi Mamphogoro (48), as a giant of gospel music in the Vhembe region. He said that he had also played a pivotal role in producing and recording music of other artists.

Munyai said Mamphogoro’s God-given talents had helped him engineer and record the music of various artists such as Mpho Regalo, Lebo Sekgobela, Adzaimbei Band, Geo Maphaya and many more.

Mayor Munyai was speaking on Sunday at a remembrance function held at Mphephu High School’s sports grounds. He was joined by councillors such as Rampson Rambuwani, Margret Mathalise and Mr Tshifhiwa Dali of the ANC Vhembe region.

The funeral ceremony was attended by hundreds of people, including various artists. Mamphogoro was later laid to rest at the Nzhelele-Migavhini cemetery.

During the proceedings his only son, Ipfi Mamphogoro, was supposed to speak, but he was too overcome by emotion. His message was later read by a cousin, Dan Mamphogoro.

Mamphogoro passed away on Thursday, 10 October, at the Netcare hospital in Polokwane, after a short illness.

When reading the obituary, Mr Nicky Maphaha said Mamphogoro had enrolled for a diploma in sound engineering at the Matador College in Gauteng in 1993. In 1995, he joined the South African Police Services where he worked until 2018, when he resigned to focus on music.

He was nominated for an SABC Crown Gospel Award in the category for Best Sound Engineer in 2014 and 2015 respectively and he walked away with the award both years.

“His engineering work was not only confined to South Africa’s borders but had transcended to international frontiers in countries such as Swaziland and Namibia. Before his untimely death, he was preparing to go to the United Kingdom with the Zaza and the Urban Brew crew,” said Maphaha.

He was also a staunch member of the Vine Yard Mission Centre under Pastor Muhovha of Nzhelele-Haraliphaswa village.

He leaves behind his wife, Windy, and child, Ipfi, mother Ms Flora Mamphogoro and siblings.

Date:26 October 2019

By: Silas Nduvheni

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