‘SIPHAMPANANA’ PASSES ON, GIRLFRIEND CRITICAL

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.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: