Friends, family and fans were packed at the Assembles of God church in Sandton, north of Jozi.
They were there to celebrate the life of Idols season 12 runner up Thami Shobede, who died last week.
Among the speakers at the memorial service was Thami's friend Blessing Cele, who said the singer suffered from depression, because he couldn't get gigs, so he could provide for his family.
Thami Shobede's friend Blessing Cele says access to South African stadiums is given to artists who last dropped albums in America in 1977. He says Thami felt under appreciated.#Ripthamishobede pic.twitter.com/58Mbxyjjgw
— Daily Sun (@dailysunsa) September 18, 2019
"You watch other people getting gigs, and only wish to get one, so you can make ends meet. He felt underappreciated," Cele said.
Another friend Themba Humana made shocking revelations about how Thami was allegedly treated by Gallo Music to which Thami was signed.
The memorial service of Idols SA star Thami Shobede is underway at the Assemblies of God hall in Sandton. pic.twitter.com/gGxrK8sPCS
— Daily Sun (@dailysunsa) September 18, 2019
He said when the family went to Gallo requesting money to bury him, they only offered a measly R5000.
"We, as his friends got Thami gigs, but Gallo Music still demanded 20% of his earnings that he already had to share with his sisters, the band, his publicist and his mother".
He urged Gallo to give the royalties to his mother, who needs the money.
Carol Morabe from Gallo Records says Thami titled his debut album "Never Lost", because he believed he never lost, even though he didn't win @IdolsSA#Ripthamishobede@dailysunsa
— Hopewell Mpapu (@myemancipation) September 18, 2019
Anneke De Ridder from @IdolsSA describes Thami as a warm- hearted man, who never traded respect for attention.@dailysunsa
— Hopewell Mpapu (@myemancipation) September 18, 2019
Blessing Cele, who was one of Thami's friends says Thami suffered from depression. He says depression is rife in the music industry, because of lack of support from record labels.#Ripthamishobede @dailysunsa
— Hopewell Mpapu (@myemancipation) September 18, 2019
Friends, family and fans have come out to pay their respects to Idols season 12 runner up, Thami Shobede, who died last week.@dailysunsa pic.twitter.com/KnRQT7cyHx
— Hopewell Mpapu (@myemancipation) September 18, 2019
