SA remembers Joe Mafela

A memorial service for the legendary actor was held in the Mandela auditorium at the Joburg Theatre today. 

The 75-year-old actor died following a car accident on the M1 North after the Oxford Road off-ramp at the weekend.

Friends, family and fans filled the Nelson Mandela Theatre to celebrate Mafela's life and career which spans over five decades. 

Generations creator Mfundi Vundla said Mafela is a legend and should be honoured as such.

"Joe and I and the company Generations worked out of a studio called Studio 5 inside the SABC. It's the biggest studio. I wrote to the head of TV and said my suggestion is that this Studio 5 must be named the Joe Mafela studio," Vundla said.

Gauteng MEC of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Faith Mazibuko said the province mourns with the Mafela family, the loss of a talented and humble man.

"While younger generations have memories of him as a comedian, few know that he was a seasoned producer and also a director who specialised in many talents," Mazibuko said.

"At any time, he entertained us. I'm sure that wherever he has gone now he is with all the other artists," Mazibuko added.

His son, Jimmy Mafela, said his father was a wise man and loved everyone.

"Everything he did...he's never been jealous of anybody. He never had issues with any human being. I think he had a lot of wisdom."