FORMER radio presenter, Mthobeli ‘KCi’ August spent Christmas alone.
This is according to his heartbroken cousin, Lulama Nkebe who tried calling him on Christmas Day, but to no avail.
Lulama spoke at KCi's memorial service which was held at the Sandton Assemblies Of God on Thursday, 4 January. She said when they called him, they didn't know that he had already died.
KCi (47) was found dead in his home in Joburg on Friday, 29 December.
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"We decided we'd call him and wish him a Merry Christmas, but he didn't answer his phone. We didn't know that during that time, this horrible thing had happened. What hurt the most is that we found him days later. That really hurt us as a family," she said.
Lulama said KCi was hoping to get his old life back.
"I am heartbroken. When I was called to identify his body, I became weak. We are torn as the August family. KCi died thinking his life would return to how it once was for him, but that didn't happen," she said.
Former Lesedi FM presenter and actor, Palo Mokoailane said he felt SABC failed KCi.
"On 21 December, I got a call to go do a voice over. When I got there, I saw him and we were excited to see each other. We spent the whole day together.
"I asked him if things were to change, would he go back to the SABC and he said he would. He told me he didn't even know why he left, he didn't know why he was just fired.
"It was painful because he was still in love with radio. SABC failed KCi. But each dog has it's own day. It'll also come back to them," said Palo.
Singer, Ringo Madlingozi who gave a touching speech about KCi also sang at the memorial service.
"It's sad that we're talking about Mthobeli's death because if he was here, we'd be laughing. I've been in the industry as song as you and I want to say it hurts to be talking of you in the past tense.
"He's been a friend of my ex-wife and they were very tight. Mthobeli was a very gifted someone and that's why he didn't want to be boxed in anything he did. He wanted to breakout and do what he does best, as long as he doesn't step on anyone's toes. Unfortunately, the industry wants to direct you and you can't do what you like," he said.
He will be buried in Adelaide, Eastern Cape on Saturday, 6 December.
