After the passing of Martin Thudinyane, a member of the renowned People’s Choice group, artists are commemorating him as a symbol of bygone eras. Thudinyane, who battled illness for an extended period, passed away in Windhoek last week.
The group, hailing from Gobabis, rose to fame with their timeless hit ‘Siwelewele,’ which dominated the airwaves during the 1990s.Visual artist and musician, Hishishi Papa, reflecting on Thudinyane’s legacy, expressed admiration for the musician’s profound impact on the music scene, despite not sharing a close bond.
Papa lamented the lack of recognition for Namibian talents during their lifetimes.Papa praised the group for crafting authentic Namibian music with a Tswana flair, underscoring the nation’s tendency to overlook its own artistic treasures.In response to Thudinyane’s demise, Papa emphasized the importance of checking in on the living, urging people to cherish those around them.
Martin Lukato, leader of the National Democratic Party (NDP), paid tribute to Thudinyane on social media, highlighting his significant contribution to Matswana and the broader African music landscape.
Meanwhile, activist Michael Amushelelo reminisced about the nostalgic charm of ‘Siwelewele’ as a childhood favorite, extending condolences to the bereaved family and advocating for national financial support for Thudinyane’s funeral arrangements.
Criticism surfaced regarding the posthumous recognition of artists, with sentiments suggesting that accolades like the Namibian Annual Music Awards should have celebrated Thudinyane and his peers during their lifetimes.
Efforts to reach Thudinyane’s family for comment were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
