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Mbulelo Mpofu, [email protected]

IN an emotional send-off, the late gospel musician, Eric Pheli Moyo was yesterday laid to rest at Umvutsha Cemetery in Bulawayo, putting a lid on what was an illustrious music career.

Eric (41) died last Wednesday after collapsing on stage the previous week while performing with South Africa’s famous gospel group, Joyous Celebration.

As mourners gathered at Bulawayo Amphitheatre with teary eyes, the city was also soaked as the heavens opened, threatening the burial of the late singer.

Moyo’s uncle, Mr Andy Moyo said Eric, the firstborn in a family of four, grew up learning music from his uncles who were into music.

“He stayed in his lane of gospel music until the last day. He has run his race,” he said.

“The task to take music forward has been left to those taught by Eric. Eric passed on last Wednesday at a South African hospital where he had been hospitalised after collapsing while performing with his South African famed choir.”

Mr Moyo said Eric was committed to music and helped found and groom some music groups in Bulawayo such as Vocal X, Family Voices, and Worshippers, among others.

He grew up in a church where his father was one of the pastors.

“Eric’s grandfather predicted that Eric was going to be a great singer when he was still young. He started leading music at pre-school while on top of a table. He was a great man and a protector,” said Mr Moyo.

“He loved his family, smiling and taking selfies. He had many friends across the board and we thank God for the time we shared with him while he was still alive.”

Deputy Chief Secretary in charge of the Social Services Sector in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Reverend Paul Bayethe Damasane gave a powerful sermon laced with Biblical scriptures.

“The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Our message is anchored on the need to believe and rely on God amidst pain and suffering,” he said.

“His vocals would heal the heartbroken. Mr and Mrs Moyo walked through the valley of death when they lost a son, but Eric was a minister who served the cause with heart and even unto death, he was still committed to the cause.”

As the Kingdom Blue Funerals hearse led Moyo’s body away, a sombre atmosphere gripped the Amphitheatre.

The procession to the cemetery was slightly delayed due rains which also prevented a plane carrying Joyous Celebration members from landing at Joshua Mqabuko International Nkomo Airport.

The plane was diverted to the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare. Renonwed Pastor Jabu Hlongwane missed the burial service at the Amphitheatre but managed to attend the burial.

In his graveside eulogy, Pastor Hlongwane described the late musician as a humble person.

“Eric was a down-to-earth person who just loved to sing. His humility was actually a charm working with him. He was a breath of fresh air and his death has left a gap to us as the Joyous Celebration family,” he said.

Hundreds of people formed a beeline to pay their last respects to Eric Moyo.

Moyo’s influence was felt even on distant shores where he impacted lives in countries such as Australia, Kenya, the UK, and Botswana.

Speaking on behalf of the Nxumalo family, representing Eric’s mother’s family, Rev Damasane said one distinct mark that Eric had was that he would always go after what he wanted.

“If Eric was focused on something, he would not tire until he got it. He loved being very nice and he liked looking nice from a tender age,” he said.

“In music, he liked working with people who were on point. His death has robbed the family of a fine young man who has left a legacy of song and class.”

Eric’s younger sister, Ms Fanele Moyo said he had an anointing from his father who is a pastor.

“He was not a pastor himself but when he sang, he changed people’s lives. He had an anointing to preach through music from his father and got a big loving heart from his mother, Mrs Moyo, an educationist at Mpopoma High School and Hillside Teachers College,” she said.

Members of the Creative and Cultural Industries (CCIs) notably Black Orient, Erastus Nleya, Snowy, and were among the mourners.
@MbuleloMpofu