W Jacobs on death of musicians

MEC Whitey Jacobs sends condolences to murdered musicians’ family

22 June 2006

"I have learnt with shock the senseless killing of Patronella, her baby Latoya and her sister, Charmaine Mkona. The Mkona sisters were popular musicians from Gugulethu. Their untimely death will definitely leave a void at Mpho and Vimba Band, a musical group that become home to the Mkona sisters for a long, long time. Their band, Mpho and Vimba, will never be the same without the Mkona duo, having been with the band since its inception in the early 1990s and struggled as a team to set it up.

They will solemnly be missed by their fans from Gugulethu, Cape Town and the rest of the country, particularly for their outstanding on stage performance. Their death has not only dealt a blow to their band, but has robbed their South African fans of many years of great musical entertainment, as they had an amazing stage presence and knack for keeping their audience enthralled. I condemn in the strongest possible terms this act of violence and I am sure that law will take its course to bring the perpetrator to justice speedily."

Enquiries:
Mandla Yeki
Spokesperson for Ministry
Cultural Affairs, Sport and Recreation
Tel: (021) 483 9804
Fax: (021) 483 9801
Cell: 082 553 3477

Issued by: Department of Sport and Cultural Affairs, Western Cape Provincial Government
22 June 2006