He Died A Hero

Actor and DJ Mandla Hlatshwayo died the way he lived: never hesitating to help others. His shattered family and friends remember him

- Hopewell Mpapu And Khosi Biyela

A GENEROUS man who never hesitated to lend a helping hand. A kind man who enjoyed spreading cheer and had a genuine love for people. A gentle soul who would not hesitate to sacrifice himself for others. That’s how former Generations star Mandla Hlatshwayo lived his life – and that’s also how he died.

In a month where South Africans, shocked at the death of yet another young woman allegedly at the hands of her boyfriend (see page 9), called for men to stand up against abuse, Mandla did just that.

And he paid with his life. The Jozi FM DJ and a friend died in a hail of bullets at Meli Lounge in Pimville, Soweto, on Sunday 14 May when he rushed to the aid of two women who were being robbed outside the venue.

His assailants left him in a pool of blood, making off with his wallet, cellphone and shoes.

Now his loved ones are trying to pick up the pieces and face life without the 40-year-old star, whose death sent shockwaves through the country.

Friends, family, community members and actors are gathered at Mandla’s Soweto home hours after his death when we arrive, trying to come to terms with the fact that he’ll never come home again.

His last memory of his nephew is a good one, his uncle, Jonathan Hlatshwayo, tells us, wiping away tears.

“We were at a wedding in Orange Farm two weeks ago. We had a good conversation as usual because that was the kind of person he was – he loved talking,” he says.

The DJ was in the process of paying lobola for his girlfriend, Mummy, when he was killed, Jonathan adds.

The way Mandla died is achingly familiar to his family as their father was also shot in a robbery, his devastated sister, Maggie Ntombela, says.