Gospel star Winnie Mashaba faced shocking humiliation last week after being barred from attending Solly Moholo’s funeral.
Mashaba’s “offence”? Arriving at the memorial service on a private plane.
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Winnie Mashaba Barred From Solly Moholo’s Funeral
Insiders revealed to Sunday World that members of the Association for the Entertainers of SA (AESA) blocked the award-winning singer from entering the Akasia Hall in Tshwane, where Moholo’s service was being held. The Kelahlibotsotsi hitmaker passed away after collapsing on stage in Botswana earlier this month.
According to sources, Moholo’s family allegedly instructed AESA members to keep Mashaba out, accusing her of “showing off” by arriving on a plane.
“Apparently, the view was that Winnie was showing off and might have used a lot of money to hire the aircraft while failing to help pay Moholo’s medical bills,” a source said.
But those close to Mashaba defended her actions.
“Winnie wasn’t flaunting anything. She had other commitments that day, and using a plane was the only way she could attend the service. What they did to her was wrong, and she deserves an apology.”
Despite the drama, AESA CEO Hepter Mailula stepped in and escorted Mashaba into the hall, where she was finally able to pay her respects.
The Blacklist
The controversy didn’t end there. An artist manager revealed that a “blacklist” of people, allegedly issued by Moholo’s daughter, Louisa, was used to prevent certain individuals from attending the funeral.
“I was on that list, but I managed to sneak into the cemetery,” the manager revealed.
Louisa refused to comment on the claims. Mailula also distanced himself, saying he knew nothing about the incident.
“Yes, I fetched her from where she was and gave her a seat, but I don’t know anything about her being blocked.”
Mphoza Mashabela, chairperson of the Limpopo Artists Movement, expressed disappointment in AESA’s conduct.
“We didn’t come to argue; we came to pay our last respects to Solly Moholo,” he said, adding that Mashaba’s use of an aircraft should not have been an issue.