KCi did not want to live long: Friend reveals at funeral
Radio icon, Mthobeli “KCi” August, was laid to rest in his hometown of Adelaide in the Eastern Cape today. The former Umhlobo Wenene presenter and voice-over artist was found dead by relatives after Christmas in his Joburg home after he fell from a bath.
Security guards were alerted by a stench that came from his flat. A family spokesperson said August had been dead for a couple of days when he was discovered.
The Raymond Mhlaba Municipality gave KCi a hero’s farewell in his hometown of Adelaide. The funeral programme was directed by his fellow broadcaster and former colleague at Umhlobo Wenene, Putco Mafani.
The marquee, which was draped in black and gold inside, was packed while others had to endure the scorching sun as mourners gathered in numbers to bid KCi farewell. Gospel artist Butho Vuthela kept the mourners on their feet as they celebrated the life of the departed radio icon.
The MEC for Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture in the Eastern Cape, Nonceba Khontsiwe, encouraged mourners not to hold back and that they should cry and let it all out.
“We appreciate the role he played in influencing the people of South Africa.
Let his name not be erased. He played his role and entertained us,” she said.
Speaker after speaker spoke fondly of the media personality’s sense of humour and how down-to-earth he was. What resonated all across was that he was liked by his fans and other personalities alike.
One of the speakers at the funeral was his friend, Savita Mbuli. Mbuli, the widow of the late broadcaster Vuyo Mbuli, spoke about her friendship with KCi.
Lupi Ngcayisa, a family friend and the spokesperson of the family, spoke fondly of the departed broadcaster. But what caught people’s attention was a childhood friend who said KCi always mentioned that he did not want to live long and true to the power of the tongue, this came to be realised.
KCi made a name for himself when he presented the afternoon drive-time show on uMhlobo Wenene, which garnered a huge following.
He also spiced his show as a character named Skhwakhwa with jokes and skits that became popular during his show.
