Flabba's sister: The nation has lost a role model

Johannesburg - Musician Nkululeko Habedi, also known as "Flabba", had been a role model, his older sister said at his memorial service at the Bassline, in Newtown, Johannesburg on Wednesday.

"I have lost my baby brother... today we are here to mourn a great life. Short but great," an emotional Nomonde Habedi said.

"Even though he was grown and a man, he never forgot to respect me as an older sister.

"We have lost a son. The children have lost a father. Skwatta Kamp has lost a brother, and fans have lost an icon. And the nation has lost a role model."

Habedi was stabbed in the heart in his Alexandra home in the early hours of Monday.

The Bassline was filled to capacity. The family of the 38-year-old musician arrived shortly after noon and the memorial service started.

Habedi's music played over the speakers while people waited for proceedings to start.

Paying tribute to his Skwatta Kamp colleague, Shugasmaxx said he was always the centre of attention.

"Flabba always had the spotlight in the group. I mean, we were all good and people were appreciative, but they would always anticipate Flabba," he said.

"There is no disputing that he took Alex to the world."

Bouquets and wreaths were placed on stage, where photos of the musician were displayed.

Singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka called on people to support young artists.

"Support our young artists. Skwatta Kamp were trend setters. I hang with these boys, the Flabbas, the Slikours, the Amus. These are my boys," she said.

"Music is to entertain. Music is love. Stop creating these beefs [grudges] and trying to kill each other. Be united and do it for yourself... support our young artists."

Skwatta Kamp manager Peter Lynch, who was the MC, said Habedi represented his time.

"He was everything great about his season. Gold teeth, unshaven, and a scar. He represented his season," he said, pointing to a photograph.

After Lynch spoke, fans broke into song and sang: "Flabba is not dead, he just fell to his knees."

Habedi's friends told the memorial service he hated it when they called him Flabba and said it was his rap name.

Industry friend Ra-Mesh said he met Habedi after he had a line in a song that criticised Hillbrow, where he lived.
"I had confronted him about it and he didn't have any equivocation when he accepted the responsibility," said Ra-Mesh.

Amu, another industry friend, said everyone who knew Habedi knew he was loyal.

"They know that he was ready to take a bullet for his close ones," an emotional Amu said.

Opening the memorial service, a family member said he would not quote from the Bible, but would quote Habedi.

Celebrities present included Trevor Gumbi, N-Veigh, L-Tido and Ismael.