IT’S hardly been a year since the country bid farewell to the prince of gospel music, Lundi Tyamara, and rumours are already doing the rounds that his two babymamas are fighting over his estate.
DISPELLING THE RUMOUR
The women, known to Move! by only their first names, Xoliswa and Lungile, are said to be demanding what is rightfully owed to their children. But when Move! contacted Xoliswa and Lungile, they were both shocked. “There’s no fighting over Lundi’s estate. There is nothing left to fight over,” confirms Xolelwa, which Lungile corroborated. “We are not fighting. Whoever told you this is lying, maybe they want Lundi’s estate,” Lungile says, adding that they are on good terms and that their children visit each other. Lundi’s former manager, Anele Hlazo, also dismisses the rumours, saying the claim is a lie. “There is no such thing. Whoever told you thishas something to hide. But I think I know who it is,” says Anele. “Lundi’s babymamas are on good terms. I called Lundi’s former manager, Tshepo Nzimande, and told him that Xoliswa and Lungile should get Lundi’s royalties and he said he would talk to the family.”
HOW THE ROYALTIES WERE SHARED
Anele says he was called by the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (Samro) after Lundi's funeral to give him R20 000, which was meant for the funeral service. But as he had taken care of the funeral costs, he told the organisation about Lundi’s children. “I told Samro to give that money to Lundi’s kids. Xoliswa and Lungile received R10 000 each on behalf of their kids. Samro has both their bank accounts and there’s no need for them to ask anyone else when they want to deposit money for royalties,” he explains. When Move! enquired about the R20 000 from Samro Xolisa and Lungile both say they received half of the money. “The R20 000 funeral benefit was supposed to go to Anele and his mentor, Daphne Nkosi. Lungile called me to ask if I’ve received any money from Samro. I didn’t know about the money until I checked my bank account,” Xoliswa says.
A TALENTED MUSO
Lundi’s musical journey began as a backing vocalist for the Queen of Gospel, Rebecca Malope. He soon went solo and his career flourished over the years. His off-stage antics, including bad behaviour, being broke and drug and alcohol abuse, are well recorded.
