Late gospel singer Peter Mokoena has been described as a leader, multitalented and reliable person.
Mokoena, who died aged 68 at the Dr Yusuf Dadoo Hospital in Krugersdorp on the West Rand on Sunday, a day after admission, was better known as lead singer of gospel music group Pure Magic.
His voice lives on through the group's hits such as Bhay' Lam and uMuzi Wam.
At the time of his death, Mokoena was deputy chairperson of the Music Performers Association of SA (MPASA) which aims to transform the music sector.
The association's chairperson Stephen Tsie, who is also Mokoena's friend and neighbour, said: "We learnt a lot from your leadership, we learnt a lot from interventions in anti-drug and substance abuse.
"To you my brother, your everlasting jolly self will forever be with me. To you my neighbour, you inspired most to start their music journey, to you my leader, your leadership is highly welcome and lives on. Your music lives on, your melodic and angelic voice will keep healing us in times of distress and we will keep on dancing to your music in good times and all life’s moments."
Founder of Pure Magic Sizwe Zako met Mokoena while doing Shell Road to Fame in the mid-1980s.
"I was a pianist and Peter was a sound engineer. I noticed that he was really talented. We used to jam before the show starts and I heard his voice. When I was writing songs for [award-winning gospel star] Rebecca [Malope] and producing her music, I decided to form Pure Magic so that it can be a backing group for Malope. I brought him and the late Monwabisi Dlamini and we started this powerful group," Zako said.
"We released two albums and after that he worked with Brenda Fassie. We called him Koeks. He was a humble and very neat guy. On stage, he was an entertainer. He had moves that entertained the crowd. He was multitalented. He will responsible for sound, drive the band’s combi and also sing. He was a perfectionist.”
Music producer Thami Mdluli defined Mokoena as a very friendly guy who loved everyone.
“I met Peter many years ago because we were both under EMI Music. He was very knowledgeable when it comes to music. I also featured him in different projects and I was impressed by his professionalism. He knew what to do once you put a microphone in front of him. He was very reliable,” Mdluli said.
Malope said Mokoena was a blessing to the music industry: "We thank him for his great contribution to the industry. He was a talented person. May his soul rest in eternal peace."
Fellow gospel singer Deborah Fraser also paid tribute to Mokoena. She worked with Mokoena in many projects, including on songs such Mbulali Wam, Nawa Amafilisti, Bua Lenna Morena, Ngohlala Nginje and Uyamemeza uJesu, defined him as an exceptionally talented person.
Fraser said the industry was poor without Mokoena who would help people record music in his studio even when they did not have money. She said this was because he understood the music passion they had.
"Peter was a sweet man who was always laughing. He was very humble. He and his wife loved people. I worked with Peter in many projects done by musician and producer Chicco Twala and I never saw him fighting or cross.
"The industry has lost a valuable person. He assisted a lot of choirs and artists to record their music. He was always willing to help other people. He made so much contribution to the industry. Koeks will be solely missed by the industry," Fraser said.
When he stopped releasing his own music after a few albums, Mokoena focused on assisting in the rehabilitation of the youth involved in substance abuse and worked on projects against gender-based violence.
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