Times Of Swaziland: ‘SIPHAMPANANA’ PASSES ON, GIRLFRIEND CRITICAL

‘SIPHAMPANANA’ PASSES ON, GIRLFRIEND CRITICAL
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BY SITHEMBILE HLATSHWAYO on 30/09/2020 00:57:00


MBABANE – Nkosinathi Dan ‘Siphampanana’ Duma is no more.
Duma, who was a popular radio theatrical actor, renowned for the old-time radio
drama styled ‘Sphampanana’, succumbed to first degree burn wounds following
an arson attack on Saturday.
Duma and his girlfriend, Thembisile ‘Tem Tem’ Lukhele, who is still in a
critical condition at the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital, were set
alight in a feat of jealousy, allegedly by the latter’s ex-boyfriend and the
father of her child, who had a pending case of assault and gender-based violence
(GBV).
In an interview with Duma’s mother, Nomsa Vilakati, she confirmed that her son
had died.
Admitted
Vilakati said her son died yesterday at around 5am, while admitted to the RFM
Intensive Care Unit (ICU). She said she was devastated to have lost a child in
such a painful manner. According to Vilakati, they were arranging to bury her
son on Saturday. She decried that her son’s attacker had no respect for her
family since he entered the homestead as and when he pleased.
Vilakati further decried that before the arson attack, her son and his
girlfriend were afraid following an earlier attack.
Simanga Mkhabela, who is Duma’s nephew, said they received a call yesterday
morning informing them that his uncle had succumbed to the burn wounds. Mkhabela
said his uncle had internal injuries.  He said when they checked on him on
Saturday following the incident, he was responsive.
Meanwhile, former radio personality and erstwhile government spokesperson Percy
Simelane said he learnt about the arson attack through the media and was shocked
about the death. He said what befell Duma was a very unfortunate incident,
adding that the arts industry and, by extension, the country had been dealt a
blow.
Simelane said Duma always wore a smile and fitted like a glove in every
theatrical part he was assigned to perform, making it more realistic.
Simelane is a renowned former radio personality who is skilled in doing voice
overs, among many other skills.